- Feature Stories - News Flash - The Fence - Beyond the Cut -
Inspire Innovation By: Melissa Silmore (TPR'85) On August 2,
1990, Saddam Hussein’s troops march into neighboring Kuwait.
International condemnation and economic sanctions quickly
follow. Tensions escalate. On January 17, 1991, coalition forces
begin aerial bombardment of the Iraqi force. Days later, reports
surface of an unexpected disaster. In an effort to thwart U.S.
Marines from coming ashore, the Iraqis have opened valves at a
key oil terminal, intentionally creating what becomes one of the
largest spills in history. Millions of barrels are dumped into
the Persian Gulf. The slick is 5 inches thick and covers an area
the size of the island of Hawaii. On another hot August
afternoon in 2003, air conditioners are working overtime. One
high-voltage transmission line in northeastern Ohio begins to
sag with the overload. It brushes a nearby unpruned tree and
shuts down. The utility’s alarm fails to sound. Within 90
minutes, three additional lines sa