In the first half of the program, Richard Syrett was joined by David G. Yurth, principal inventor and co-founder of Nova Institute of Technology, for a discussion on the Corona Discharge Gas Plasma Disassociation System: a compact, lightweight, low-cost energy efficient device that eradicates all exhaust fumes (related article). He explained that the breakthrough technology allows for the chemicals emitted from an internal combustion engine to be broken down at an elemental level and then re-combined into less harmful emissions. At a result, he said, "what you get out of the tail pipe is nanoparticulated carbon particles, water vapor, and elemental gasses." Despite the revolutionary nature of this technology, he observed, it has yet to receive widespread publicity because of longstanding skepticism that such a transformative device can even be created.
"When you create a disruptive innovation, you declare war on everyone whose interest is threatened by your innovation," Yurth said, regarding the challenge of getting the technology adopted by car companies and other industries. To that end, he specifically pointed to the ongoing agenda centered around a potential carbon emissions tax, which would be rendered obsolete due to his technology. Yurth also noted that, based on experience, the large auto manufacturers are so massive and insulated that just getting them to look at the technology is a challenge and, provided they do learn about it, there is a longstanding bias against ideas which did not originate from the industry. Nonetheless, Yurth plans to move ahead in the marketing of the technology and expects to begin obtaining investors around the middle of next year.
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In the latter half of the program, journalist and leading expert on Britain's spies, Michael Smith detailed how one of the world's most secretive of agencies originated and developed into the MI6 we know today. He recounted how, in the early 1900's, Britain began to see Germany as an emerging threat that could be dangerous in the near future. In turn, an overzealous media whipped the public into a panic over this potential danger, which led to the British government creating a secret organization aimed at both stopping German spies that had entered the country as well as training British spies to venture abroad and collect intelligence. The colorful characters and unique inventions utilized by these early spies would ultimately find their way into the works of Ian Fleming with his James Bond stories.
During his appearance, Smith shared a number of tales surrounding these early spies and their remarkable exploits. One such individual was Captain Mansfield-Cumming, who served as the first commander of the spy organization which became known as MI6. According to Smith, Cumming was fond of donning disguises in his pursuit of spies and often wielded a walking stick which secretly contained a sword inside of it. Additionally, after losing his leg due to an accident, Cumming would test the mettle of potential new spy agency recruits by stabbing his prosthetic leg with a knife during their first interview. Smith also recalled the courageous feats of Sarah Aaronsohn, who served as a spy in the Middle East and, upon her capture, was mercilessly tortured and chose to kill herself rather than reveal any information to her captors.