The LaForce Engine
* Edward LaForce struggled for years in Vermont to get backing to perfect his amazing engine. Ignored for years by the automotive industry, Edward and Robert, his brother, survived on the contributions of several thousand individuals who believed in them. His engine design manages to use even the harder to burn heavy gasoline molecules. Current engines are said to waste these, and since they make up to 26 percent of the current fuels, the use of the heavy molecules was a great step forward.
* According to a Las Angeles Examiner article (December 29, 1974), the cams, timing, and so on were altered on stock Detroit engines. These modifications not only ellimenated most of the pollution from the motor but, by completely burning all of the fuel the mileage was usually doubled. One Examiner reporter saw a standard American Motors car get a 57 percent increase in mileage at the Richmond, Vermont, research center.
* With such publicity, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) was forced to examine the situation, and of course, they found that the motor designs were not good enough. Few persons believed the EPA, including a number of Senators. A Congressional hearing on the matter in March 1975 still brought nothing to light; except silence.
* The LaForces were interviewed by newspapers and auto manufacturers across the world, and even though they only modified the basic Detroit designs; Detroit was not interested. Anyone need 80 percent more mileage?
NO COMMON SENSE
ANALYZE THE EXAMPLE
* Which supports and barriers were in play?
* What were the dynamics?
* Who, or what, won the Tug-of-War?
* Discuss the outcome with your friends and family.
* Use Post #4 as a reference for the dynamics, and the relationships, between supports and barriers.
