Science Comics #5

"Flight by Fire" explores the history of rocket and jet propulsion, tracing its roots from ancient Greek experiments with steam-powered spheres to Chinese fire arrows, 15th-century rocket-cars, and 17th-century ideas by Isaac Newton. The story follows the evolution of these concepts through centuries of innovation, culminating in their wartime development during World War II and the emergence of jet-powered aircraft like the Whittle engine and the American Airacomet.

In 1842 Scotland, inventor Alexander Bain demonstrates his early electrical facsimile transmitter, sending typed text across wires using synchronized pendulums and electrical impulses. The story traces the evolution of this technology from its mechanical roots to modern radio-based systems, showing how photographs and news images could be transmitted across vast distances in minutes—revolutionizing how the world received breaking news.

This non-fiction comic explores the biology and behavior of great apes, highlighting differences between gorillas, orangutans, and chimpanzees, including their movement, anatomy, and intelligence. It features real-life examples of apes raised alongside humans, such as a chimp adopted by a family in Indiana and an orangutan taught to speak English. The story presents scientific observations about ape development and cognition, emphasizing their close relationship to humans.

Bruce and his uncle Fred take a journey up the Road of Time, exploring the history of timekeeping through ancient and inventive clocks—from sun dials and fire clocks to water clocks, pendulum clocks, and early watches—each revealing how humanity measured time across centuries. Along the way, they encounter the clever mechanics and surprising stories behind these devices, from Inca rituals to Huygens’ pendulum breakthroughs.

Theobald Smith investigates the mysterious illness known as Texas Fever, which kills northern cattle brought to graze in the South while sparing southern cows. As he conducts experiments on the range and in his laboratory, he systematically tests the role of ticks in spreading the disease, gathering mounting evidence that links infected ticks to the outbreak.

The story traces the evolution of bridges from simple fallen tree trunks and stone slabs to complex suspension designs, highlighting key milestones like the Roman aqueducts, Caligula’s bridge of boats, and the innovative truss and covered bridge forms. It explores both triumphs and tragedies in engineering—such as the Tay Bridge disaster—showcasing how each challenge shaped safer, more resilient designs. The narrative concludes by reflecting on how bridges stand as enduring symbols of human ingenuity and progress.

A young woman learns the surprising truths behind common myths about animals and plants, from whale eyes being the largest of any living creature to moths being unable to eat due to lacking mouths. The story debunks misconceptions with clear, factual corrections, revealing that so-called "white ants" are actually termites and that the biggest living things on Earth are not elephants, but ancient redwood and sequoia trees.

George Westinghouse, a young inventor with a passion for engineering, faces skepticism and setbacks as he works to improve railroad safety—first with a device to reset derailed cars, then with a revolutionary air brake system designed to stop trains from a central control point. As he pushes forward, testing his ideas despite doubt from colleagues and a near-tragic accident, he demonstrates relentless determination to solve one of railroading’s most dangerous challenges.

In the aftermath of the Civil War, a shortage of paper drives a young chemist and his brother to experiment with wood pulp as a cheaper alternative to rag paper. When they accidentally dissolve a stick of wood in acid and discover it transforms into pulp, they’re hopeful that this breakthrough could revolutionize paper production.

Seymour learns a series of quirky scientific facts, from the surprising deafness of blue-eyed male white cats to the surprising smoothness of glass compared to silk and satin, all presented with a playful tone and a touch of whimsy. The story explores oddities in nature and human biology, blending curiosity with lighthearted observation.

In 1910, Charles F. Kettering takes on the challenge of creating an electric starter for cars after witnessing a mechanic injured by a crank, leading to a series of intense experiments and setbacks in his workshop. With time running out and mounting pressure from Cadillac, Kettering and his team tirelessly refine their design, ultimately overcoming a hidden wiring flaw to make the first successful electric starter that works at the touch of a button.