THE VINE AUGUST 6, 2010
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A great random tidbit from Stan Cox's new book, Losing Our Cool, about the invention of ozone-depleting CFCs:
The breakthrough CFC refrigerant, Freon, was invented in 1930 by chemist Thomas Midgley, working for General Motors' Frigidaire division. Midgley earlier had found that the problem of car engine knocking could be solved by adding lead, which wound up causing serious air pollution and health problems. On the strength of his two momentous discoveries, Midgley was credited by historian J.R. McNeill as having "had more impact on the atmosphere than any other single organism in earth history."
Um, whoops? It's not like the guy was doing anything wrong, either—he was just coming up with brilliant ideas to improve peoples' lives. Makes one wonder what sorts of unforeseen side effects we're later likely to find associated with some of today's most popular inventions…
4 comments
Makes one wonder what sorts of unforeseen side effects we're later likely to find associated with some of today's most popular inventions… Indeed. For instance, Apple products contain a chemical proven to induce elevated levels of douchiness.
- ratnerstar
August 6, 2010 at 1:43pm
"Refrigeration is, perhaps, the only unmitigated blessing that the Age of Technology has brought us, a blessing that has brought no bane in tow, a wholly positive good that can be welcomed without reluctance or qualification." Angela Carter, The Fall River Axe Murders (1981).
- hemididact
August 7, 2010 at 3:55am
Ratner: ouch! :-)
- tnmats
August 9, 2010 at 12:53pm
This claim should be modified to read "..."had more impact on the atmosphere than any other MULTICELLULAR organism in earth history." Not to belittle this man's achievements, but the world's first blue-green algae started the process of adding oxygen to the atmosphere. By my reckoning, that was a bigger deal.
- gwcross
August 9, 2010 at 2:26pm