[August 01, 2011] Grand Forks Herald, N.D., Ryan Bakken column Tweet Jul 31, 2011 (Grand Forks Herald - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Air conditioning is the greatest invention in the history of the world. No, not the wheel. Not the light bulb. Not toilet paper. Not even golf. Air conditioning tops my list. At least it does this time of the year. Most people find winter more onerous than summer. Not me. I have sweat glands the size of satellite dishes. I'm Norwegian. I have the complexion of a submarine commander. Heat and I are as compatible as Sarah Palin and history books. And don't even get me started on high humidity. Except for a day here and there, this summer hasn't been too hot and steamy. That's rare because our part of the world is best known for its weather extremities. There's a reason that everyone talks about the weather around here -- because it's often the biggest news. When weather isn't the popular topic, it's the likes of flooding and the crops, both influenced by -- you guessed it -- the weather. Eleven days ago, I spent four hours outside in a heat index of 115. This made for one soggy Norwegian with satellite-sized sweat glands who appeared to have suffered a Depends malfunction. Misery soon disappeared, however, after stepping into an air-conditioned building, an oasis of cool air. Yes, air conditioning is an even greater invention than the telephone, the laptop, the internet and penicillin. It provides more comfort than other worthy improvements for mankind, such as the TV remote, cell phone, Nintendo, microwave and Bud Light. But, air conditioning has one fault. Sometimes, most notably at retail stores, it's too cold. You shiver upon entering these stores. And, when you leave, the temperature fluctuation makes you feel feint. What is the A/C thermostat setting at these frosty retail stores? Medium meat locker? The Arctic? Dick Cheney? Just like with most of life's pleasures, air conditioning can be overdone. But, with August's often-stifling weather soon upon us, it's time to pay tribute to Willis Haviland Carrier, the inventor of electrical air conditioning in 1902. Reach Bakken at (701) 780-1125; (800) 477-6572, ext. 125; or send email to [email protected]. To see more of the Grand Forks Herald, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.grandforksherald.com. Copyright (c) 2011, Grand Forks Herald, N.D. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]