Magnetism

I have been thinking about magnetism a lot recently. It makes no sense. It is called one of the "Fundamental Forces" which usually is the kind of term scientists use for stuff that nobody really understands.

I set up an experiment in the lab this week. Two magnets opposing each other, holding some weight up in the air. Levitation, if you will. Teeny little magnets holding some metal up in the air. I'm curious as to how long those little magnets can hold something up in the air. Months? Years? Indefinitely? It's a silly experiment, but it would seem that if "force" is being exerted by the magnets, eventually they would tire out and no longer be able to hold weight up in the air.

If they don't get tired, how come we can't just draw a relatively infinite supply of energy out of them? If they're not exerting an almost-infinite amount of force, then how is the weight being held up in the air?

I'm no physicist, but my Dad was, so maybe I'm allowed to think about stuff like this. I also fancy myself as someone who thinks outside the box, and the fact that I don't have Maxwell's Equations memorized is perhaps an advantage when considering something so perplexing as magnetism.

As my hero Diet Smith once said, "He who controls magnetism will control the universe."

Power Wagon Woodie

What a beautiful truck George Wellman has, in his 1950 Dodge Power Wagon, the only existing Campbell-body Woodie PW. Here is a link to some pictures I took during my recent visit to Traverse City, MI. George and Jill were extremely generous hosts, and I thank them.

Recently Spotted

Two sides of the same sign, on a church in Traverse City, MI.

I'm sitting in a place called "The Catch" in Traverse City, Michigan. This is a pretty cool town. Tomorrow I pay a visit to George Wellman, owner of the venerable (and only known remaining) wood-bodied Dodge Power Wagon "Woodie". I can't wait to see it, and meet George...


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