Ben Gross
@bhgross144.bsky.social
John Merritt Associate Director for Research Services at the Harry Ransom Center; Author of The TVs of Tomorrow-How RCA's Flat-Screen Dreams Led to the First LCDs (Chicago 2018). Posting in a personal capacity.
Ericson shows how preexisting technologies were repurposed to produce various cinematic effects.
Carefully designed miniatures were used to recreate landscapes that might be flooded. However, water itself could not be scaled down, leading to new studies of the physics behind wave motion. #HSS2025
Carefully designed miniatures were used to recreate landscapes that might be flooded. However, water itself could not be scaled down, leading to new studies of the physics behind wave motion. #HSS2025
November 15, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Ericson shows how preexisting technologies were repurposed to produce various cinematic effects.
Carefully designed miniatures were used to recreate landscapes that might be flooded. However, water itself could not be scaled down, leading to new studies of the physics behind wave motion. #HSS2025
Carefully designed miniatures were used to recreate landscapes that might be flooded. However, water itself could not be scaled down, leading to new studies of the physics behind wave motion. #HSS2025
Ericson: In the early years of the studio system (mid/late 1920s), Paramount, MGM & their peers established effects departments.
This April 1929 article from American Cinematographer highlights the work of the "Scientific Research Department" of the Warner-First National Studios. #HSS2025 #filmsky
This April 1929 article from American Cinematographer highlights the work of the "Scientific Research Department" of the Warner-First National Studios. #HSS2025 #filmsky
November 15, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Ericson's talk focuses on efforts to recreate weather & natural disasters (floods, fires, earthquakes, etc.) in early Hollywood films.
When creating environmental simulations, special effects workers had to contend w/material properties of fluids, gases & collapsible structures. #HSS2025 #envhist
When creating environmental simulations, special effects workers had to contend w/material properties of fluids, gases & collapsible structures. #HSS2025 #envhist
November 15, 2025 at 3:07 PM
And that’s a wrap for today’s #HSS2025 sessions. I’ll be back with more live updates tomorrow.
Good night, everybody!
Good night, everybody!
a close up of a man 's face with the words " signing off " below him
ALT: a close up of a man 's face with the words " signing off " below him
media.tenor.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:22 AM
And that’s a wrap for today’s #HSS2025 sessions. I’ll be back with more live updates tomorrow.
Good night, everybody!
Good night, everybody!
Reposted by Ben Gross
in the q&a, tonight’s speaker nails my fave thing abt being able to learn at #HSS2025 — it is deliciously interdisciplinary. i’m no historian by trade, but i have been tracking a unique history (HCQ’s spectacularization) that relies on science to be understood, n thus i look forward to reading this!
So what can historians of science do?
Valencius answers by citing an exciting, forthcoming resource for #histSTM & #STS practitioners--A Historian's Handbook to Saving the World, edited by @alixhui.bsky.social & @emilypawley.bsky.social.
More info: docs.google.com/document/d/1... #HSS2025 #histSTM
Valencius answers by citing an exciting, forthcoming resource for #histSTM & #STS practitioners--A Historian's Handbook to Saving the World, edited by @alixhui.bsky.social & @emilypawley.bsky.social.
More info: docs.google.com/document/d/1... #HSS2025 #histSTM
Historians' Handbook for Saving the World TOC
A Historian’s Handbook for Saving the World: Responding to the Global Climate Emergency Co-organized by Alexandra Hui and Emily Pawley Table of Contents Acknowledgements and List of Contributors ...
docs.google.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:06 AM
in the q&a, tonight’s speaker nails my fave thing abt being able to learn at #HSS2025 — it is deliciously interdisciplinary. i’m no historian by trade, but i have been tracking a unique history (HCQ’s spectacularization) that relies on science to be understood, n thus i look forward to reading this!
"Hope is a discipline, hope is a muscle. If government programs caused this problem, they can also change it."
Valencius concludes her lecture on an inspiring note: The more historians of science tell stories re: #EnergyHistory, the more people will speak up about energy & its consequences #HSS2025
Valencius concludes her lecture on an inspiring note: The more historians of science tell stories re: #EnergyHistory, the more people will speak up about energy & its consequences #HSS2025
November 15, 2025 at 1:04 AM
"Hope is a discipline, hope is a muscle. If government programs caused this problem, they can also change it."
Valencius concludes her lecture on an inspiring note: The more historians of science tell stories re: #EnergyHistory, the more people will speak up about energy & its consequences #HSS2025
Valencius concludes her lecture on an inspiring note: The more historians of science tell stories re: #EnergyHistory, the more people will speak up about energy & its consequences #HSS2025
So what can historians of science do?
Valencius answers by citing an exciting, forthcoming resource for #histSTM & #STS practitioners--A Historian's Handbook to Saving the World, edited by @alixhui.bsky.social & @emilypawley.bsky.social.
More info: docs.google.com/document/d/1... #HSS2025 #histSTM
Valencius answers by citing an exciting, forthcoming resource for #histSTM & #STS practitioners--A Historian's Handbook to Saving the World, edited by @alixhui.bsky.social & @emilypawley.bsky.social.
More info: docs.google.com/document/d/1... #HSS2025 #histSTM
Historians' Handbook for Saving the World TOC
A Historian’s Handbook for Saving the World: Responding to the Global Climate Emergency Co-organized by Alexandra Hui and Emily Pawley Table of Contents Acknowledgements and List of Contributors ...
docs.google.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:02 AM
So what can historians of science do?
Valencius answers by citing an exciting, forthcoming resource for #histSTM & #STS practitioners--A Historian's Handbook to Saving the World, edited by @alixhui.bsky.social & @emilypawley.bsky.social.
More info: docs.google.com/document/d/1... #HSS2025 #histSTM
Valencius answers by citing an exciting, forthcoming resource for #histSTM & #STS practitioners--A Historian's Handbook to Saving the World, edited by @alixhui.bsky.social & @emilypawley.bsky.social.
More info: docs.google.com/document/d/1... #HSS2025 #histSTM
Valencius: US gov. resources & policies facilitated the shale boom, but also documented the shale boom (e.g., national labs, USGS, National Archives, Smithsonian, NEH, etc.)
When people call for the oil industry to "get the frack out," historians of sci can contextualize their concerns #HSS2025
When people call for the oil industry to "get the frack out," historians of sci can contextualize their concerns #HSS2025
November 15, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Valencius: US gov. resources & policies facilitated the shale boom, but also documented the shale boom (e.g., national labs, USGS, National Archives, Smithsonian, NEH, etc.)
When people call for the oil industry to "get the frack out," historians of sci can contextualize their concerns #HSS2025
When people call for the oil industry to "get the frack out," historians of sci can contextualize their concerns #HSS2025
Valencius: The shale boom has required a vast--but frequently unacknowledged--scale-up in fluid waste disposal to deal w/liquid wastewater that can't be returned into circulation.
This was linked in turn to earthquakes that started to shake the ground in TX, KS, AR & other fracking sites. #HSS2025
This was linked in turn to earthquakes that started to shake the ground in TX, KS, AR & other fracking sites. #HSS2025
Does fracking cause earthquakes?
Most induced earthquakes are not directly caused by hydraulic fracturing (fracking). The recent increase in earthquakes in the central United States is primarily caused by disposal of waste fluids tha...
www.usgs.gov
November 15, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Valencius: The shale boom has required a vast--but frequently unacknowledged--scale-up in fluid waste disposal to deal w/liquid wastewater that can't be returned into circulation.
This was linked in turn to earthquakes that started to shake the ground in TX, KS, AR & other fracking sites. #HSS2025
This was linked in turn to earthquakes that started to shake the ground in TX, KS, AR & other fracking sites. #HSS2025
Valencius: We are only now beginning to calculate the fugitive emissions associated w/extraction & transportation of natural gas. We now know that they comprise a higher percentage of annual greenhouse gas emissions than previously acknowledged.
#HSS2025
#HSS2025
November 15, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Valencius: We are only now beginning to calculate the fugitive emissions associated w/extraction & transportation of natural gas. We now know that they comprise a higher percentage of annual greenhouse gas emissions than previously acknowledged.
#HSS2025
#HSS2025
Valencius calls attention to fiscal policies that facilitated the shale boom, including low interest rates, complex credit mechanisms facilitating massive borrowing by energy companies, and high prices of fossil fuels.
The climate/env. consequences were known but downplayed/ignored. #HSS2025
The climate/env. consequences were known but downplayed/ignored. #HSS2025
November 15, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Valencius calls attention to fiscal policies that facilitated the shale boom, including low interest rates, complex credit mechanisms facilitating massive borrowing by energy companies, and high prices of fossil fuels.
The climate/env. consequences were known but downplayed/ignored. #HSS2025
The climate/env. consequences were known but downplayed/ignored. #HSS2025
Valencius: Petroleum entrepreneurs like George Mitchell read those gov.-funded reports & started investing in new technologies to facilitate the shale boom (e.g., "slick water" fracking; horizontal drilling; staged drilling; proppants)
More on Mitchell: authentictexas.com/george-p-mit... #HSS2025
More on Mitchell: authentictexas.com/george-p-mit... #HSS2025
George P. Mitchell - Authentic Texas
The Wildcatter Who Changed Energy Forever
authentictexas.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Valencius: Petroleum entrepreneurs like George Mitchell read those gov.-funded reports & started investing in new technologies to facilitate the shale boom (e.g., "slick water" fracking; horizontal drilling; staged drilling; proppants)
More on Mitchell: authentictexas.com/george-p-mit... #HSS2025
More on Mitchell: authentictexas.com/george-p-mit... #HSS2025
Valencius: During the late 1970s & early 1980s, scientists also investigated porosity of shale---could natural gas be made to diffuse out of shale?
A: Yes, with enough pressure & time.
("The roots of innovation are not just in entrepreneurs, but dry reports by earnest bureaucrats.") #HSS2025
A: Yes, with enough pressure & time.
("The roots of innovation are not just in entrepreneurs, but dry reports by earnest bureaucrats.") #HSS2025
November 15, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Valencius: During the late 1970s & early 1980s, scientists also investigated porosity of shale---could natural gas be made to diffuse out of shale?
A: Yes, with enough pressure & time.
("The roots of innovation are not just in entrepreneurs, but dry reports by earnest bureaucrats.") #HSS2025
A: Yes, with enough pressure & time.
("The roots of innovation are not just in entrepreneurs, but dry reports by earnest bureaucrats.") #HSS2025
Valencius: The 1973 oil embargo led to growing interest in alternative energy sources, but also massive US investment in energy infrastructure---including offshore drilling.
And again, the consequences were known. Oil company scientists had accurate models for #GlobalWarming in the 1970s. #HSS2025
And again, the consequences were known. Oil company scientists had accurate models for #GlobalWarming in the 1970s. #HSS2025
November 15, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Valencius: The 1973 oil embargo led to growing interest in alternative energy sources, but also massive US investment in energy infrastructure---including offshore drilling.
And again, the consequences were known. Oil company scientists had accurate models for #GlobalWarming in the 1970s. #HSS2025
And again, the consequences were known. Oil company scientists had accurate models for #GlobalWarming in the 1970s. #HSS2025
Valencius calls attention to Project Gasbuggy--a #ColdWar attempt to use underground nuclear explosions to harvest oil & natural gas. Those experiments proved unsuccessful & any petroleum extracted was too radioactive for consumer use.
More on Gasbuggy: aoghs.org/technology/p...
#HSS2025
More on Gasbuggy: aoghs.org/technology/p...
#HSS2025
November 15, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Valencius calls attention to Project Gasbuggy--a #ColdWar attempt to use underground nuclear explosions to harvest oil & natural gas. Those experiments proved unsuccessful & any petroleum extracted was too radioactive for consumer use.
More on Gasbuggy: aoghs.org/technology/p...
#HSS2025
More on Gasbuggy: aoghs.org/technology/p...
#HSS2025
Valencius: By 1920s, new technologies for underground sensing allowed newly professional petroleum engineers to locate & extract oil more efficiently.
In mid-20th c., oil became crucial to geopolitics & warfare--during WWII, Allies controlled 90% of oil supplies (Axis had only 3%!) #HSS2025
In mid-20th c., oil became crucial to geopolitics & warfare--during WWII, Allies controlled 90% of oil supplies (Axis had only 3%!) #HSS2025
November 15, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Valencius: By 1920s, new technologies for underground sensing allowed newly professional petroleum engineers to locate & extract oil more efficiently.
In mid-20th c., oil became crucial to geopolitics & warfare--during WWII, Allies controlled 90% of oil supplies (Axis had only 3%!) #HSS2025
In mid-20th c., oil became crucial to geopolitics & warfare--during WWII, Allies controlled 90% of oil supplies (Axis had only 3%!) #HSS2025
Valencius: The US led the world in petroleum supply during the early 20th c., as well as demand for oil thanks to the boom of automobiles powered by internal combustion engines.
The good roads movement of the 1920s led to federal funding for highways in the US, privileging cars. #HSS2025
The good roads movement of the 1920s led to federal funding for highways in the US, privileging cars. #HSS2025
a black and white photo of a row of old cars parked in front of a building
ALT: a black and white photo of a row of old cars parked in front of a building
media.tenor.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Valencius: The US led the world in petroleum supply during the early 20th c., as well as demand for oil thanks to the boom of automobiles powered by internal combustion engines.
The good roads movement of the 1920s led to federal funding for highways in the US, privileging cars. #HSS2025
The good roads movement of the 1920s led to federal funding for highways in the US, privileging cars. #HSS2025
Valencius describes the development of the "Roberts Torpedo"--patented by Edward Roberts in 1866 & inspired by Confederate artillery rounds. ("For US historians, it always comes back to the Civil War!")
More info on fracking's #CivilWar roots: www.aaas.org/taxonomy/ter...
#HSS2025 #EnergyHistory
More info on fracking's #CivilWar roots: www.aaas.org/taxonomy/ter...
#HSS2025 #EnergyHistory
November 15, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Valencius describes the development of the "Roberts Torpedo"--patented by Edward Roberts in 1866 & inspired by Confederate artillery rounds. ("For US historians, it always comes back to the Civil War!")
More info on fracking's #CivilWar roots: www.aaas.org/taxonomy/ter...
#HSS2025 #EnergyHistory
More info on fracking's #CivilWar roots: www.aaas.org/taxonomy/ter...
#HSS2025 #EnergyHistory
Valencius: By late 1850s, oil joined coal as a main fossil fuel being harvested from beneath the earth. That led to deforestation, water/air pollution & it didn't take long to notice its broader impact.
(See Eunice Foote's 1856 article: publicdomainreview.org/collection/f...) #HSS2025 #envhist
(See Eunice Foote's 1856 article: publicdomainreview.org/collection/f...) #HSS2025 #envhist
November 15, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Valencius: By late 1850s, oil joined coal as a main fossil fuel being harvested from beneath the earth. That led to deforestation, water/air pollution & it didn't take long to notice its broader impact.
(See Eunice Foote's 1856 article: publicdomainreview.org/collection/f...) #HSS2025 #envhist
(See Eunice Foote's 1856 article: publicdomainreview.org/collection/f...) #HSS2025 #envhist
Valencius: Though often presented as the work of charismatic oil tycoons, the shale boom is rooted in the history of US production & use of fossil fuels, largely due to gov. support.
Historians of science have can contribute to the discussions of those policies & how they changed w/tech #HSS2025
Historians of science have can contribute to the discussions of those policies & how they changed w/tech #HSS2025
November 15, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Valencius: Though often presented as the work of charismatic oil tycoons, the shale boom is rooted in the history of US production & use of fossil fuels, largely due to gov. support.
Historians of science have can contribute to the discussions of those policies & how they changed w/tech #HSS2025
Historians of science have can contribute to the discussions of those policies & how they changed w/tech #HSS2025
Valencius: The modern shale boom is reliant on hydraulic fracturing. (The term #fracking is somewhat loaded, but V. previously argued for the need for accessible vocabulary for these practices)
More on the environmental impact of this practice: online.law.tulane.edu/blog/epa-fra...
#HSS2025
More on the environmental impact of this practice: online.law.tulane.edu/blog/epa-fra...
#HSS2025
November 15, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Valencius: The modern shale boom is reliant on hydraulic fracturing. (The term #fracking is somewhat loaded, but V. previously argued for the need for accessible vocabulary for these practices)
More on the environmental impact of this practice: online.law.tulane.edu/blog/epa-fra...
#HSS2025
More on the environmental impact of this practice: online.law.tulane.edu/blog/epa-fra...
#HSS2025
Valencius begins by contrasting conventional & unconventional oil drilling using a pastry-inspired metaphor:
Conventional=sponge cake--oil/gas trapped in porous reservoir rock vs. unconv.=layer cake--molecules trapped tightly in source rock)
[Insert Great British Bakeoff reference here?] #HSS2025
Conventional=sponge cake--oil/gas trapped in porous reservoir rock vs. unconv.=layer cake--molecules trapped tightly in source rock)
[Insert Great British Bakeoff reference here?] #HSS2025
November 15, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Valencius begins by contrasting conventional & unconventional oil drilling using a pastry-inspired metaphor:
Conventional=sponge cake--oil/gas trapped in porous reservoir rock vs. unconv.=layer cake--molecules trapped tightly in source rock)
[Insert Great British Bakeoff reference here?] #HSS2025
Conventional=sponge cake--oil/gas trapped in porous reservoir rock vs. unconv.=layer cake--molecules trapped tightly in source rock)
[Insert Great British Bakeoff reference here?] #HSS2025
Valencius: We don't have to be masters of every detail of US or global #EnergyHistory, but still need a general sense of recent events.
Tonight's talk focuses on the #shale boom over the past 20 yrs, which is the focus of her latest book. (That includes hydraulic fracturing, aka #fracking) #HSS2025
Tonight's talk focuses on the #shale boom over the past 20 yrs, which is the focus of her latest book. (That includes hydraulic fracturing, aka #fracking) #HSS2025
November 15, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Valencius: We don't have to be masters of every detail of US or global #EnergyHistory, but still need a general sense of recent events.
Tonight's talk focuses on the #shale boom over the past 20 yrs, which is the focus of her latest book. (That includes hydraulic fracturing, aka #fracking) #HSS2025
Tonight's talk focuses on the #shale boom over the past 20 yrs, which is the focus of her latest book. (That includes hydraulic fracturing, aka #fracking) #HSS2025
Valencius: We--humans & historians--need to understand energy. We need to engage & empower others. Whatever our subject or our time period, we can relate some of what we teach to how human beings have harnessed energy sources around them or how people have harvested those sources. #HSS2025
November 15, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Valencius: We--humans & historians--need to understand energy. We need to engage & empower others. Whatever our subject or our time period, we can relate some of what we teach to how human beings have harnessed energy sources around them or how people have harvested those sources. #HSS2025