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Thankful... for technology.
By Mike Hyland
Executive Director, NEPPA
Well, it’s December 2023, and it’s time to reflect on this past year. It’s easy to point out the obvious items to be thankful for – family, faith, friends, my job – you know the usual things. But how about a shout out to technology? Yep, I can see you now – rolling your eyes and saying, “nope, that’s it Mike – I’m not reading any more of your stupid newsletters. Technology? Really? You weirdo.”
So here I am, probably dropped a few hundred readers after the first paragraph – but oh well, I don’t care. I’m thankful for new and improving technologies. Thankful. Did you hear that – thankful! But why? Well, in late November on the way home from a quiet afternoon and dinner – our car was hit in the middle of a highway intersection. Yep – the car was totaled and the driver who plowed into my VW wagon decided to take a holiday and left the scene.
Simply put – if technology didn’t advance over the years, we would probably have some broken bones, or possibly worse. But what happened? Well, technology won the day! All air bags from a 2017 vehicle deployed instantly – protecting our heads from smashing into the side windows and doors. Airbags were introduced in the 1950’s, when American John W. Hetrick was granted patent #2,649,311 by the United States Patent Office in August 1953.
And how about those seat belts!!! The seat belts grabbed us and held us tight. Why? Because the modern three-point seat belt (commonly know as the CIR-Griswold restraint) was patented in 1955 by Americans Roger Griswold and Hugh DeHaven. (See U.S. Patent #2,710,649)
And the end result? Hylands 1 – Injuries 0.
But it was the vehicle and technology that actually won the day. We sometimes fight it. We don’t like change, especially when it’s forced on us. We complained about seat belts in the 70’s when they became mandatory. Complained!!! – refused to use them in many cases – yet they saved my life and countless others. And let’s bring this discussion to the utility world. How about fall arrest, insulated buckets, rubber coverup and gloves, AMI, GIS, FR clothing, and any other technology that we need to adapt to and use daily? Technology and the advances that are made by scientists are awesome and we should be thankful. In fact – rejoice.
And thus, car shopping we go. Ugh. I don’t even like the sound of that. I walked into the VW dealer and told the sales person I’d like the new version of my 2017 model. “Wait – what? You no longer make that model?” Ugh, life goes on, time to relook at the new technologies that have been introduced since 2017.
A light that stays red until the seat belt is locked and in place – and then it turns green? Why yes, thank you! And how about a small light indicator on my side mirrors that alerts the driver to the car in my blind spot? Why yes – I’ll take that! A window wiper that turns on automatically when there’s moisture on my windshield. Yep – bring it on!
So, as you head into the holidays of 2023 and get recharged for 2024 – be thankful. Enjoy peace, find what makes you excited – and to the 5 readers left reading this Newsline – I hope to see you in 2024 and discuss all the great technologies in your life. Until then – peace and love.
-Mike
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