2. Before skyscrapers could be completely
covered with windows, the urban heat island
was much more dramatic.
In modern day engineering, the windows
allow sunlight into the building, trapping the
solar energy inside, usually as heat.
3. The convection currents created by the urban
area were much more dramatic while the sides of
buildings were absorbing 100% of the solar energy
as heat, and then in turn dramatically heating the
air. Industry was unregulated by todays standards,
and produced a great deal of heat as well.
Automobiles were at their peak, and cheaper than
ever. The wind blowing towards the city center
would be much more significant than today. On
many days, there would be a sailing wind.
4. Some people were so good at sailing, they
were able to “paraglide” with a cape. Vertical
take-off and 360 degree travel was possible from
rooftops and open areas with fair access to the
wind. Buildings make vortices of very powerful
wind. Para-gliders today often use the coastal
breeze for this activity. This means they need
not jump in order to achieve flight. They can lift
off from the ground.
5. Superman believed that the Americans
could learn the skill of sailing, and use the heat
island wind for daily transportation and became
very dedicated to his demonstrations.
With wind turbines in existence, it would
also be possible to generate electricity from this
wind.
6. Following the introduction of inert kryptonite
gas into window engineering, it became possible to
make windows cover the entire exterior of buildings
without sacrificing insulation or strength. (actually
insulation is still sacrificed, and windowed buildings
experience higher cooling and heating costs despite
the kryptonite, although kryptonite was hailed into
practice)
Allowing the sunlight into the building made
it possible to generate electricity inside using air
pressure differences. . .
7. Largely overlooked was the fact that using a city-
wide convection current would allow for energy harvest
over the entire urban area, while the buildings as they are
only harvest solar energy that hits them directly. Also
building planning rarely included waste-heat recovery
systems, and so did not generate electricity at all.
The marketing for kryptonite, however, was
immense, and highly effective having corporate support.
The wind was seen as a problem, as was the need for
further infrastructure. With kryptonite, buildings
downtown would (supposedly) become very comfortable
for fairly cheap. Buildings used to be very uncomfortable
(ventilation was poorly planned already)
8. The buildings today, however, are unable to
generate enough power to meet our needs. Many of
them provide no electricity output at all.
The amount of sunlight that hits a 300 square mile
urban area, by contrast, contains enough energy to power
the nation.
Superman’s plan would also include a method of
urban flight for a very low cost, although a fair sailing skill
is required. This skill is more well developed in other
nations, and during Superman’s short rise, Americans
were thoroughly ridden of laborious activity.
