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No Such Thing As A Fish
No Such Thing As A Fish

No Such Thing As Half-Past Purple

August 13, 2026 • 54m

Summary

⏱️ 9 min read

Overview

A live episode of 'No Such Thing as a Fish' recorded at the Royal Institution in London, featuring four fascinating facts about wind turbines, Victorian scientist Humphrey Davy, the decline of fog, and bizarre fines. The hosts explore the history of renewable energy, the pioneer of modern chemistry who gave lectures to empty chairs as a child, how climate change is reducing fog worldwide, and the most absurd financial penalties ever issued.

The First Megawatt Wind Turbine at Grandpa's Knob

Andy introduces the story of the first megawatt-scale wind turbine, erected in 1941 on a Vermont mountain with the memorable name Grandpa's Knob. Engineer Palmer Putnam combined his frustrations with constant wind and high electricity bills to create a groundbreaking turbine that was 10 times more powerful than anything previously built. Though it only lasted about two years before being damaged in a storm, Putnam became so famous that he signed autographs for 45 minutes after a NASA lecture, as people believed wind power would be the next big thing.

  • The first megawatt-scale wind turbine was built in October 1941 on Grandpa's Knob, Vermont, just before Pearl Harbor
  • Palmer Putnam designed the turbine because he lived near Cape Cod where it was constantly windy and his electricity bills were too high
  • The turbine was 10 times more powerful than the biggest windmill that had ever been built and could generate enough to power 10 light bulbs
  • Palmer Putnam was so famous he signed autographs for 45 minutes after a NASA lecture on wind power
  • Putnam also designed amphibious landing craft used during the Normandy landings
" I wonder if I could combine these problems into one solution. "

Modern Wind Turbines and the Dutch Windmill Code

The discussion moves to modern wind turbines, including a 360-meter turbine being built in Germany using a telescoping construction method. The hosts reveal fascinating historical windmill communication systems, including the Dutch 'windmill code' where different sail positions communicated social messages like mourning or celebration. A quirky design decision from the 1970s explains why modern turbines rotate clockwise rather than the more efficient counterclockwise direction - simply because Danish engineer Leif Nielsen wanted to differentiate his designs from his brother's company.

  • The biggest wind turbine in the world is being built in Germany at 360 meters high (100 stories), using a telescoping construction method
  • Dutch windmills had a communication code: diagonal position meant mourning/death, while half-past-twelve position meant celebration/new baby
  • Modern wind turbines rotate clockwise because Danish engineer Leif Nielsen chose that direction to compete with his brother's company in the 1970s
  • Turbines actually generate 30% more energy rotating counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere due to the Coriolis effect
  • The first home powered by wind was in 1887, meaning Jack the Ripper could have seen a wind turbine
" Villagers nearby thought, this is the work of the devil, and they refused to sign off on it. "

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