A Cereal Company’s Journey to the Depths of the Ocean
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Chapter 1: The Unlikely Innovator
There are stories that sound so implausible they make you question their authenticity. This narrative, however, blends remarkable elements of truth and intrigue. It unfolds in a familiar yet often underestimated realm: the ocean.
The ocean is a colossal resource, responsible for approximately 90% of global trade. Additionally, it serves as the primary protein source for nearly three billion people, constituting around 12% of the world’s employment. Covering 70% of the Earth's surface, it remains a mystery for many, despite its immense contributions.
Oceanographer Gene Feldman asserts that our understanding of the ocean is less comprehensive than that of the Moon or Mars, primarily due to the challenges posed by exploring deep waters. The pressure at such depths can be likened to that of fifty jumbo jets pressing down on a human body, making exploration significantly more difficult than venturing into space.
“Despite being the largest organization navigating global waters, they seemed indifferent to what lay beneath the surface.”
Section 1.2: A Flour Company’s Unexpected Pivot
“In the late 1800s, we began as a flour milling company, but eventually pivoted to food production. Our journey led us to discover the engineering behind food processing.”
— Lisa Schroeder, General Mills VP of R&D
The General Mills of the 1960s was not just about breakfast cereals. Their machinery expertise and innovative spirit opened doors to diverse fields. The company ventured into broadcasting and even invented the Ryan Flight Recorder, crucial for aviation safety. Their engineer, Harold Froehlich, adapted mechanical arms for various applications, including the Trieste.
They ultimately constructed the submarine, named Alvin, in Minneapolis. Unlike traditional submarines, Alvin featured enhanced mobility and versatility, which initially went unrecognized by the Navy.
Chapter 2: Alvin’s Historic Discoveries
Following its deployment at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Alvin was soon called into action during a crisis.
Section 2.1: The Lost Hydrogen Bomb
In 1966, a B-52 bomber collided with a fuel tanker, resulting in the loss of a hydrogen bomb in the ocean. The Navy, fearing a disaster reminiscent of a James Bond film, urgently deployed Alvin, which had only recently completed its testing phase.
After numerous dives, Alvin's crew discovered the bomb wrapped in a parachute, successfully leading to its recovery and averting a potential catastrophe.
Section 2.2: Discovering New Life Forms
With an upgrade in the 1970s, Alvin could reach depths of 12,000 feet, allowing exploration of the ocean floor. Between 1977 and 1979, it unveiled remarkable discoveries at the Galápagos Rift, revealing chemosynthetic organisms that thrived without sunlight.
Bryson notes that Alvin also solved an age-old question regarding ocean salinity: how does the ocean maintain its balance without becoming overly salty? The undersea vents function like natural filters, removing salt and allowing life to flourish.
“Alvin's discoveries reshaped our understanding of life, both on Earth and beyond.”
Section 2.3: The Titanic Expedition
William Sellers, a pilot aboard Alvin, recounts the submarine's historic visit to the Titanic wreck in 1986. They not only filmed the ship but also deployed a small drone named Jason Jr. to explore its interior.
Sellers vividly describes navigating Alvin amidst poor visibility, sharing tales of unexpected discoveries within the ship's remains. The team spent days documenting the wreck, gathering insights that would contribute to our understanding of maritime history.
A Legacy of Exploration
As of 2021, Alvin has completed over 5,000 dives, spending an impressive 35,000 hours underwater. It has unearthed H-bombs, discovered previously unknown life forms, and explored the wreck of the Titanic, all while being a product of a cereal company that initially faced skepticism.
This tale exemplifies the extraordinary intersections of history, innovation, and exploration, proving that sometimes the most unlikely entities can lead to groundbreaking discoveries. The story of Alvin continues, with future chapters yet to be written.
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