Back in March 2004 I was approached by Reading A-Z, a producer of online educational materials to assist those learning to read, about the use of a picture taken by my friend Erik Patten and featured on Mount Sutro. Turns out they wanted to use this photo in an upcoming publication. After talking with the company about the specific project, we eagerly gave permission. All I asked in exchange was a free copy of the book and the right to display select content from the book.

The book was completed and released in September 2004 and although I am a little late in writing about this, I am happy to do so now. In the Level V Benchmark title Robots by Lisa Ing, readers of Mount Sutro will see a familiar image: the Tallahassee Bomb Squad robot holding an industrial magnet. Featuring Erik's photograph, page eight discusses how robots are used instead of humans in possibly dangerous situations, such as bomb investigations.



Contrary to published caption, the questionable object was in fact an industrial magnet left at the curb for the trash by our friend, Rick. When joggers running through the neighborhood on 03 December 2002 saw the box filled with the bright blue objects and a piece of paper with Hebrew text written on it, they automatically assumed it must be a terrorist's explosive.

Rick had already began his trip back home to Orlando when the Tallahassee Police and Fire Department plus the Bomb Squad came knocking at Erik's door. He talked with the police and with the cooperation of Rick via telephone, the police found it unnecessary to press any charges and whatnot, but they did insist on allowing their Bomb Squad robot access to the devices to verify and ensure their benign nature. Erik took this opportunity to take several pictures and thus our story concludes.



Everyone enjoys seeing their name (or website address) in print, even if it is only an electronic book.

[ bomb robot and industrial magnet photoset ]
[ about the book ]