Whatever happened to Popular Science?

Photon440 · Oct 8, 2019

I mean, the magazine. I remember in the 70's, reading my dad's issues completely from cover to cover, and going through his stack of 50's and 60's back issues in the basement. They were all full of the newest cars, aircraft, space exploration and the latest color televisions. Articles on woodworking, making projects, those newfangled computers and how Wankel engines worked. Remember these covers?

So, while on vacation last summer, while waiting for a flight to board and looking for something to read at the airport, I thought I'd pick up the latest issue and entertain myself.

Sadly, I was rather disappointed. Rather than talk about cars, submarines, supersonic aircraft or the latest microchips, the magazine was full of talk of new plastic eating enzymes. Starting a seed library. The EPA's estimate of how much junk was created last year and how much food we waste. But wait...a bright spot - the International Space Station! Oh, they're talking about recycling up there too. Oh well. The editorial was quick to soothe our conscience by mentioning that the magazine used recycled paper and organic ink. Exciting stuff! Apparently so exciting that they only publish four times a year now. This was the cover:

I found the in-flight magazine on my WestJet flight to be more interesting than this sad effort.

440Coronet500 · Oct 8, 2019

When I was a kid I read it all the time. I always looked forward to the next issue. It has changed so much over the years I stopped reading it. 440'

YY1 · Oct 8, 2019

There was also "Popular Mechanics" as well as "Mechanics Illustrated" and "Science Illustrated" from a competitive publisher.

rebel513r · Oct 8, 2019

Here is a good one from popular science

Bill Monk · Oct 8, 2019

rebel513r said:
View attachment 846882 Here is a good one from popular science

I can remember them putting used motor oil on the gravel roads to keep the dust down. Things have changed

greycharger · Oct 8, 2019

The Kock brothers have muddied the waters until adult conversation is near impossible. Climate change or no climate change, embracing technology and conservation is the smart, forward looking way to go.
Here is a NOAA piece, written for 5th graders, so the pres may have to get an adult to explain it to him, but since it doesn't make him look good to himself, he won't retain any of it.

https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/education/info_activities/pdfs/CTA_the_methane_cycle.pdf

beanhead · Oct 8, 2019

We were OMNI people back in the day.

Richard Cranium · Oct 8, 2019

greycharger said:
Here is a NOAA piece, written for 5th graders

https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/education/info_activities/pdfs/CTA_the_methane_cycle.pdf

More like to indoctrinate 5th graders.

Slap Stick · Oct 8, 2019

Bill Monk said:
I can remember them putting used motor oil on the gravel roads to keep the dust down. Things have changed

We had a guy here who was hired to do this. Unknown to him the oil contained dioxin. Guess who got the blame?
Do a web search on Russell Bliss.

Slap Stick · Oct 8, 2019

NOAA has been found to be changing their own data to further the man made global warming agenda.
It cannot be proven Man is the cause.

Dibbons · Oct 8, 2019

Here is the Popular Science article of October 1965 "How we were going to raise the speed limit to 100-120 MPH":

https://phil-are-go.blogspot.com/2017/11/you-will-drive-120-mph-legally-bah-hah.html

BeatersRus · Oct 8, 2019

on the topic,i still huy stacks of those whenever i can find them at sales.
lots of great ideas concepts and diagrams on how to-s.
some of the concept cars are amazing too.

as far as the rest of the mudslinging...
guys guys...goosfrahbahhhhhhhh

eldubb440 · Oct 8, 2019

popular science obviously became......... well, unpopular

and I'd be more worried if the climate didn't change........ cause that's what it does

WP29440SE · Oct 8, 2019

the climate is always in a state of change. it wouldn't matter if there wasn't one single human being on this planet. engineered profit through junk science is absolute... what happened to that giant hole that was supposed to have opened up in the atmosphere, or the incineration of humans the greenhouse effect was supposed to inflict.
oh yeah , they ran out of money and had to create new trauma because it didn't happen. bullshit

steve from staten island · Oct 8, 2019

You need to actually read documented articles that are free of any politics. Read how people who live and survive in the regions are effected and how these changes never happened as they are happening now.
Educate yourself and dont take the word of any politician or political party

Dibbons · Oct 8, 2019

Remember the Ice Ages they taught us in grade school?

I thought it was going to get colder again before it became any warmer.

https://www.livescience.com/40311-pleistocene-epoch.html

YY1 · Oct 9, 2019

My uncle got Popular Science, Mechanics Illustrated, Omni, and National Geographic.

For magazines, I'd consider that fairly well read.

I remember reading all the "RADAR detector wars" between Cincinnati Microwave (Escort/Passport) and Valentine in the late 70's and 80's.

Saved up and bought my first Valentine 1 in 1990, just in time for my turbo Daytona and my 45 mile one way work commute on I-4. Saved my *** a few times. curiously, it falsed on other high end detectors in the next lane and was able to detect X band door openers for miles. I wish you could have turned X band off, as no one (except those dang doors) was still using it in my area.

68gtxman · Oct 9, 2019

steve from staten island said:
There are many people well read on this subject and that by itself does not lend well read people to be qualified.
While anyone does not have to be in total agreement, to totally dismiss what is going on in the world as far as climate changes, strikes me as being narrow minded and biased
It also is not just a coincidence that your opinions are in total agreement with the opinion of your perfect leader.
Why is that since your so experienced and educated according to you anyway?
The fact is you still did not and will not state exactly what gives you the right to post here like your some kind of expert and while I might agree you are more well read and have a tech background again that does not make you a expert or even close
I have no credentials other than I read and while I might not agree with every thing I read, I do not dismiss what is going on in the world as some sort of "liberal" anything
While were on that subject, I would have seriously considered your opinions but the second I saw that remark and your self serving alleged experience I knew what this was all about, the TDS and kool aid comments as well as knowing what kind of person I am, which by the way you have no idea.
You make a unneeded comment and get offended when your called and that shows me what kind of kind of kool aid drinking blind loyalist you are.

Have the most pleasant day.

Steve, I don’t care to persuade you to believe my opinions. You believe what you want to believe. I’ve got better things to do with my time. Be blessed.

Slap Stick · Oct 9, 2019

Once again it cannot be proven Man causes global warming. It is IMPOSSIBLE to do.

Budnicks · Oct 9, 2019

another once good mag/now skewed/bias rag
goes the way of the dodo bird

for obvious reasoning

Whatever happened to Popular Science?

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