Catalytic converters are contraptions that aid in the reduction of certain hazardous emissions. As a result, demand for vehicles equipped with these converters has increased, resulting in a scarcity of its key component, a ceramic “honeycomb” holding platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These are already-precious metals that have become much more expensive due to the mine closures caused by COVID-19. Thus, because the catalytic converter industry is largely based on recycled metals, catalytic converter theft is on the rise, with thieves selling them on the black market for a profit. Read full article here
History
Remembering When America Banned Sliced Bread
Rationing was not new to the world when the US decided to ban sliced bread during WW2, but it caused an uproar. Already burdened by previous sugar, butter, and nylon rationing, American households made their anger known. Sliced bread was considered something of a household staple; their breakfast and lunch featured sliced bread, and it was too time-consuming to slice bread in the morning. The ban ended two months later, when officials finally claimed there was enough wax paper—used to keep sliced bread fresh—to go around. Read full article here
Merv
November 23, 2022
