A Book On Cavitation

When I was around ten, I became obsessed with a book called "Cavitation". It was a very dry, scientific book, with in-depth information on the subject, which involves tiny bubbles which form and collapse around things like boat propellers, causing damage.

I don't know why I was attracted to that book so much, but I think I was interested in ultrasound, and there was some overlap with cavitation. It was a collection of studies and observations, complete with a bunch of incomprehensible math, which only added to my desire.

The book was located on a high shelf of a bookstore which was maybe 10 blocks away from my house, and I randomly stumbled across it when my mother and I were browsing around. I realized that I had to have it, and since my mother refused to buy it for me, it became my goal to collect the money to buy it, saving up my allowance, and raiding the piggybank.

I think I had this vision of myself becoming a valued expert on the subject of cavitation, and building a career around it, which included visiting ships and submarines, and advising shipbuilders on how to make propulsion systems.

I did get the book, but I don't think I got too far into it. I have no idea what happened to it -- I think I still have the ultrasound experiments book that came before it. But I do remember realizing that I must have that book, no matter what happens.

Posted in: s/Bucket-List

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Feb 05 · 3 months ago

2 Comments ↓

👤 jdcard · Feb 05 at 19:18:

Ah, the joys of trying to satisfy a curious mind!

🚀 ElectricalDance · Feb 07 at 13:00:

I remember reading somewhere there are torpeedo using this principle. They create a bubble of gas in front of them to allow greater speeds