You Can't Spell Geek Without a Double E: Part III

One important thing I forgot to mention last time was how great my seat assignments were on my trip. I don't know how it happened - if the planes were full and they had to upgrade me by default or if the travel agent at work was good or what. Anyway, on my four flights my seats were as such: exit row, first class, bulkhead seat, and first class. Not bad, huh? If you ever get the chance to fly first class, I would recommend it. Don't get all high and mighty and think you're too good for that and you would prefer your economy seat. Let them upgrade you!

In a different line of thought, I have a new book called "A Century of Innovation" that I'm starting to work my way through. The number one innovation for the century is electrification. Electrical energy could be harnessed before the 20th century thanks to Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, Charles Steinmetz, George Westinghouse, and other greats, but it was a huge achievement to basically get the entire nation "wired" during the century. Actually within a couple decades. Also, did you know that since 1970, emissions from coal-fired power plants have fallen by nearly 50 percent, even while the amount of electricity generated has tripled? Take that Al Gore.

Another interesting fact is that the Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River in Washington was completed in 1942 and is still the third-largest producer of hydroelectric power in the world. It's actually much larger and produces more electricity than the Hoover Dam which was built in the same era. Have you taken that dam tour?