The Pop of Pop

The Baron of Bubbles
The Sultan of Soda
The Ayatollah of Coca-Cola

Cocktail Party Physics: father of fizz

In honor of ” Pepsipocalypse,” and my own inordinate fondness for Diet Coke (which I share with Bora!, as evidenced by the photo at the end of this post, although he’s partial to the sugared variety), it seems appropriate to pay tribute to the grand-daddy of fizzy drinks: British scientist Joseph Priestley. He didn’t actually invent carbonation, which is a natural process: at high pressures underground, spring water can absorb carbon dioxide and become “effervescent.” “Seltzer” originally referred to the mineral water naturally produced in springs near a German town called Niederseltsers, although today, it’s pretty much just filtered tap water that’s been artificially carbonated. No, Priestley is responsible for the artificial carbonation process, along with “discovering” oxygen (more on that, and the caveats, later) and eight other gases, including carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide (laughing gas).

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What to call it: I have previously linked to a Soda vs Pop map

Clavula, Next Stop! Next Stop, Clavula!

Interesting “body as a map” artwork by Samantha Loman

Bony Landmarks – The cranium drawn as a map

Underskin – the body’s various systems drawn as a subway graphic, and there’s no Taconic parkway leading to the clavula (did Ty just make that up?)

Unfortunately only part of the Underskin drawing is shown in high resolution; I found another site with the work that lets you click for more detail

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Other artsy stuff inspired by subway graphics