Our Cup Runneth Over
We are indeed in unique technological times – it is a challenge to keep pace with advancements in computer technology, science and information sharing. Sometimes it is just overwhelming. The Internet has made communication instantaneous and, despite the misuse and abuse, the positives are mind-boggling.
We are indeed in unique technological times – it is a challenge to keep pace with advancements in computer technology, science and information sharing. Sometimes it is just overwhelming. The Internet has made communication instantaneous and, despite the misuse and abuse, the positives are mind-boggling.
Because of these communication improvements we are experiencing an overwhelming amount of editorial material to bring you. Unfortunately, we too cannot keep up, as there is so much good material coming in daily. Therefore, we have been placing a number of articles online as Web Exclusives to help disseminate the information in a more-timely manner. If you have not been aware of this, please visit the website (www.pcimag.com) and click on the Web Exclusives banner on our Home Page. There is some great material in there, and the articles are generally shorter than the typical print editorial features. Because our audience is so diverse, you will find informative material on inks, adhesives, equipment, application and other topics of interest in addition to coatings. We even have some fun reading in there.
In the July Web Exclusives we ran a story about the tribulations of a troubleshooter. Most of us who have worked in the paint labs can relate to this article with ease, as we invariably have had troubleshooting experiences. This article prompted submission of a set of funny experiences by a staff scientist, which appear in this month’s Web Exclusives. I suspect a good number of our readers remember some funny things that have happened in this industry that would lighten the day. Please send them on to me and we can share these too with our readers. Today I received one about an employee in the early days of latex technology. He took home a couple of 5-gal cans of latex to paint his garage over the weekend. Coming back to work on Monday he complained about the poor hiding. What he didn’t realize was that he had pure latex – just an opaque vinyl acetate copolymer that looked pigmented, but when dry gave a clear finish.
Well before the stringent TSA airport restrictions, we had several people in the industry stopped by airport personnel for carrying white powder, which some thought were drugs – but in fact were powder coatings. And many of us were also stopped for carrying “strange-looking” liquids and metal panels……ah for the good old days. And then there was the lady who thought her toddler might be getting sick from paint fumes. When we went to her home to inspect the premises she had literally painted everything that had a surface – all walls, cabinets, lamp shades, draperies, some upholstered furniture and carpeting. It was truly one of my stranger experiences with paint complaints.
We all have experiences like these to share. And in these days we need a couple of good laughs! Perhaps Abraham Lincoln put it best “With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh I should die.”
So send us your funny and/or strange experiences, as well as all the good technical material. Today’s environment is witness to great technology and some remarkable innovations. Just get the message to us and we will get it out there as soon as we can. An investment in knowledge pays the best interest (Benjamin Franklin).
We are indeed in unique technological times – it is a challenge to keep pace with advancements in computer technology, science and information sharing. Sometimes it is just overwhelming. The Internet has made communication instantaneous and, despite the misuse and abuse, the positives are mind-boggling.
Because of these communication improvements we are experiencing an overwhelming amount of editorial material to bring you. Unfortunately, we too cannot keep up, as there is so much good material coming in daily. Therefore, we have been placing a number of articles online as Web Exclusives to help disseminate the information in a more-timely manner. If you have not been aware of this, please visit the website (www.pcimag.com) and click on the Web Exclusives banner on our Home Page. There is some great material in there, and the articles are generally shorter than the typical print editorial features. Because our audience is so diverse, you will find informative material on inks, adhesives, equipment, application and other topics of interest in addition to coatings. We even have some fun reading in there.
In the July Web Exclusives we ran a story about the tribulations of a troubleshooter. Most of us who have worked in the paint labs can relate to this article with ease, as we invariably have had troubleshooting experiences. This article prompted submission of a set of funny experiences by a staff scientist, which appear in this month’s Web Exclusives. I suspect a good number of our readers remember some funny things that have happened in this industry that would lighten the day. Please send them on to me and we can share these too with our readers. Today I received one about an employee in the early days of latex technology. He took home a couple of 5-gal cans of latex to paint his garage over the weekend. Coming back to work on Monday he complained about the poor hiding. What he didn’t realize was that he had pure latex – just an opaque vinyl acetate copolymer that looked pigmented, but when dry gave a clear finish.
Well before the stringent TSA airport restrictions, we had several people in the industry stopped by airport personnel for carrying white powder, which some thought were drugs – but in fact were powder coatings. And many of us were also stopped for carrying “strange-looking” liquids and metal panels……ah for the good old days. And then there was the lady who thought her toddler might be getting sick from paint fumes. When we went to her home to inspect the premises she had literally painted everything that had a surface – all walls, cabinets, lamp shades, draperies, some upholstered furniture and carpeting. It was truly one of my stranger experiences with paint complaints.
We all have experiences like these to share. And in these days we need a couple of good laughs! Perhaps Abraham Lincoln put it best “With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh I should die.”
So send us your funny and/or strange experiences, as well as all the good technical material. Today’s environment is witness to great technology and some remarkable innovations. Just get the message to us and we will get it out there as soon as we can. An investment in knowledge pays the best interest (Benjamin Franklin).