Electrical Dependency

AT A GLANCE:
Carl von Linde, German engineer whose invention of a continuous process of liquefying gases in large quantities formed a basis for the modern technology of refrigeration. Refrigeration is chiefly used to store foodstuffs at low temperatures, thus inhibiting the destructive action of bacteria, yeast, and mold. Invention:refrigerator in 1876Definition:noun / re·frig·er·a·torFunction:A refrigerator (often shortened to fridge) and/or freezer is an electrical appliance that uses refrigeration to help preserve food. Patent(s):In 1877, Carl von Linde obtained a patent for his refrigerator from the German Imperial Patent Office
727,650 (US) issued May 12, 1903 for Linde oxygen process
728,173 (US) issued May 12, 1903 for Apparatus for process Inventor:Carl Paul Gottfried von LindeBirth:June 11, 1842 in Berndorf, GermanyDeath:November 16, 1934 in Munich, Germany Milestones
1834 Jacob Perkins, ether vapour compression cycle, Ice Making Machine

1852 William Thomson & James Prescott cooling increases in proportion to the pressure difference
1855 Dr. John Gorrie builds compression refrigeration system based on Faraday's experiments.
1856 James Harrison commissioned by a brewery to build a machine that cooled beer.
1859 Ferdinand Carre of France, developed the first ammonia/water refrigeration machine
1971 Carl von Linde of Germany published an essay on improved refrigeration techniques
1873 Carl von Linde first practical and portable compressor refrigeration machine was built in Munich
1874 Raoul Pictet of Switzerland, a compressor system using sulfur dioxide instead of ammonia
1876 Carl von Linde, early models he used methyl ether, but changed to an ammonia cycle




Did a power outage before this mean food went to waste? Did the lack of modern refrigerators mean ya couldn't eat?
Hell no....we gained electric refrigerators & lost a few brain cells

 

I think too many people equate intellect with need to know.

It isn't that we lost brain cells, as much as it is the fact that due to this invention, there is no need to do things the way they were done before this invention. Dependant on technology? Definitely. But, tis the nature of the beast. Just think... a few generations from now, people might not understand what it takes to actually mail a letter, or develop film.

 

they may also be the same people who don't survive a hurricane, or any other natural disaster, or just a simple power outage for whatever reason.
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/hackleman55.html

 

That's a fact. And that is why I will never live on a coast.



These days it is all about convenience so we have more time to work, so we have more time to make more money, so we can pay for these things that "make life easier"...

heh...

 

Chapter1 —Why Not Electricity?
Most North Americans today would think it impossible to do without electricity. Indeed, for people throughout the industrialized world, the most basic of life’s activities rely upon through-the-wires power. Lighting, cooking, heating, grooming, and entertainment—all require volts and watts.
But electricity is actually a very recent development. While electrical power was available to many city dwellers in the early 1900s, the majority of rural North Americans had no access to current until the 1930s or 40s. Many people who were alive during the first third of this century will be able to identify with the accounts of Amish life in this book. Of course, to millions of people in the non-industrial nations, even the ways of the Amish may seem modern and luxurious.

A Connection With the World
What makes the Old Order Amish unique is not that they get along without electricity, but that they choose to do without it when it would be readily available. Most Amish see a link with electric wires as a connection with the world—the world that the Bible tells them they are to be “strangers and pilgrims” in.
Unlike many North Americans, the Amish value simplicity and self-denial over comfort, convenience, and leisure. So they try to discern the long-range effects of an innovation before deciding whether to adopt it.
Early in this century, the large majority of Amish leaders agreed that connecting to power lines would not be in the best interest of their communities. They did not make this decision because they thought electricity was evil in itself, but because easy access to it could lead to many temptations and the deterioration of church and family life. For similar reasons, the Amish refuse to own cars.
Forbidding electricity has prevented the need to make decisions on individual electrical devises, especially those used for entertainment. Radio and television promote values that are directly opposed to those of the Amish. These influences cannot easily come into the home if the usual door of entrance is not present.

 

Turn Off the Lights... ...the party's over. At least for your electric company.





Electricity accounts for a large portion of most of our monthly bills. It was one of those "modern conveniences" that quickly became necessity, to the point that most of us have never lived without it and even insist that we couldn't - with good reason because of how most homes are designed.

It's simple to light Coleman lanterns or kerosene lamps or even candles for light, but what do you do about the furnace fan? Or the toaster? Or the refrigerator? It would take a great adjustment to use an ice box - and besides that, where would you find large, solidly frozen ice blocks any more? It's been a long time since I've seen an ice house!

I know... you're asking yourself what in the world made me start talking about doing without electricity. The answer is simple and I'll warn you - it's a four letter word.

(Bill.)

You know. The one they send you every month and say you owe them just to be able to read at night? That one. And if it's too high (personal interpretation allowed), it's time to do something about it.

No... you don't have to have it turned off.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, one third of our energy dollars goes to lighting and appliances, not including heating water and using refrigeration. (Heating and cooling cost the most.) That's a big percentage and the overall cost can be cut in just about every case. Here are some ways you can tame that monster bill:

1. Start changing out regular incandescent light bulbs with compact florescents. Although florescents cost more to buy, their life times are longer and they use far less electricity for the same amount of light. Most have charts or statements on the label to help you compare.
2. Maybe this should be number one, but turn off anything you're not using. That includes lights, TVs, radios, stereos and computers. (Most computers use the equivalent of around three 100 watt light bulbs.)
3. Flip the switch off on power strips, or unplug "instant on" anything, including TVs and computers.
4. Keep your refrigerator coils clean. Vaccuum at least twice a year. Don't overload refrigerator shelves with food. Air circulation is important and will help keep temperature even, keeping the refrigerator from running as often. Check the gasket, keep it clean and lightly oiled (run a thin film of machine oil over it occasionally for a tight seal and to preserve it.
5. Keep a freezer full - it operates on a different principle than a refrigerator. A frozen mass tends to keep things around it frozen, too. If you don't have enough food to fill it, use plastic containers filled two thirds of the way with water. Plastic bags of water that can be sealed make an excellent choice for odd shaped vacant areas.
6. Switch to using as many manual appliances as you can. Plain old hand operated can openers, knives and toothbrushes use a lot less electricity!
7. One modern electric appliance that will save is the microwave - BUT, if you need to bake ten potatoes, it takes less time in a conventional oven.
8. If you use an electric stove, use all the heat. Turn off the burners and oven a few minutes before food is through cooking. Or, if you're heating other foods there's plenty left to do the job after you turn off the burner. Remember, it's not the stove that cooks (or warms) your food. It's the heat.
9. If you drink tea or coffee throughout the day, use a thermos. It takes less electricity to make several cups at one time and keep it hot in a thermos than it does to make individual cups, or even reheat in the microwave (the next best move.)

 

I don't even like camping... I have no problem admiting I'm depedant on electricity.

But I have guns, matches, dry food, bottled water, and a first aid kit. I'm sure I'd be okay for a while.

I like being dependant on electricity. Roughing it is overrated... I can't even remember the last day I didn't take two showers.

 

Is it un-PC to hate on the amish? Because the amish are really stupid.

 

I know this is a lot of people's nightmare, but I'd be more than pleased it was to happen here, it would give me an excuse to get out of the grind of a wasteful society that drains me so...however I'm not righteous enough to do it on my own for very long because I'd miss my computer addiction...i'm so pathetic

 

Has anyone ever talked to an amish before? I bet they seem wise 'til you realise ty're just spouting a bunch of crap, and they're only intrested in corn and getting their daughter married to their cousin.

Old cowboys are the same way... they try to make metaphors outta everything, and then you realise they're talking non sense.

 

**While in AZ, I stayed with a friend for a few weeks (christmas 2003-mid Jan 2004) that had a very small cabin/camper with NO electricity. He hooked his computer up to the car's battery. For heat & the cooking stove he used propane.**

I can admit I'm also addicted to the computer, but since I've started using it about 7 yrs ago I have gone months at a time without one. It's not 1/2 bad going without one...it makes time for other things that interests me.
Lodui, you have the right to your opinion about the Amish, but I always found them to be fasinating.

 

Well granted, I am a techno atheist, so my oponions pretty biased.

But I'd like to die without ever churning butter.

 

HaHa...churn butter
my arms got to damn tired before it ever got to butter or I'm just a whimp, but it was a good excuse to go on a diet that day.
But most amish kids have a PHD..parent home daily
and if ya ask an amish parent...."Do ya know where your children are?" they can say yes.