Title:

The Deltoid Pumpkin Seed

Author:

John McPhee

Publisher:

Noonday Press

International Standard Book Number: (ISBN)

0374516359

Library of Congress Card Number:

72-84783

For those who have not as yet exposed themselves to the wonderful and amazing thinking of John McPhee, you will be in for a treat when you read this book! I would probably recommend just about any book written by Mr. McPhee. Other titles I will eventually review are, "The Curve of Binding Energy", and "Pine Barons". I in fact read Pine Barons as an adjunct to this book!

This book, "The Deltoid Pumpkin Seed" is a wonderful example of man's technologic fervor, and the nature of projects and prospects that "just don't seem to get off the ground". When you read this book it will open to you an avenue of research that follows the modern day development of "Lighter Than Air" Zeppelin and Dirigible progress. It will make you wonder what other great ideas or inventions have simply not been developed!

The real Deltoid Pumpkin Seed was a scale model, actually a series of models, the largest of which was flown by a pilot. Earlier models were radio controlled. In any case over a period of some eleven years a number of these test models proved the efficacy of a "lifting body" sometimes lighter than air cargo craft, that the final version of would have revolutionized air freight. Some years before I read this book, I saw the design plans for "the seed" outlined in an engineering text that speculated on future turbine engines, or even nuclear power for such a craft. The nuclear powered version would never have to land! Read this book and find out how one develops such a complex project, and evidently how not to! This book, along with all others I have read by Mr. McPhee, will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you keep repeating to yourself, yea why not!