The electric vehicle market has been gradually gaining prominence in the world due to the rise in pollution levels caused by traditional IC engine-based vehicles. The advantages of electric vehicles are multi-pronged in terms of cost, energy efficiency, and environmental impact. The running and maintenance cost are considerably less than traditional models. The harmful exhaust emissions are reduced, besides the greenhouse gas emissions, when the electric vehicle is supplied from a renewable energy source. However, apart from some Western nations, many developing and underdeveloped countries have yet to take up this initiative. This lack of enthusiasm has been primarily attributed to the capital investment required for charging infrastructure and the slow transition of energy generation from the fossil fuel to the renewable energy format. Currently, there are very few charging stations, and the construction of the same needs to be ramped up to supplement the growth of electric vehicles. Grid integration issues also crop up when the electric vehicle is used to either do supply addition to or draw power from the grid. These problems need to be fixed at all the levels to enhance the future of energy efficient transportation. Electric Vehicles and the Future of Energy Efficient Transportation explores the growth and adoption of electric vehicles for the purpose of sustainable transportation and presents a critical analysis in terms of the economics, technology, and environmental perspectives of electric vehicles. The chapters cover the benefits and limitations of electric vehicles, techno-economic feasibility of the technologies being developed, and the impact this has on society. Specific points of discussion include electric vehicle architecture, wireless power transfer, battery management, and renewable resources. This book is of interest for individuals in the automotive sector and allied industries, policymakers, practitioners, engineers, technicians, researchers, academicians, and students looking for updated information on the technology, economics, policy, and environmental aspects of electric vehicles.

"Antique', 'vintage', 'previously owned', 'gently used', 'cast-off' n the world of second hand encompasses as many attitudes as there are names for it. The popular perception is that second- hand shops are largely full of junk, yet the rise of vintage fashion and the increasing desire for consumer individuality show that second hand shopping is also very much about style. Drawing on six years of original research, Second-Hand Cultures explores what happens when the often contradictory motivations behind style and survival strategies are brought together. What does second hand buying and selling tell us about the state of contemporary consumption? How do items that begin life as new get recycled and reclaimed? How do second hand goods challenge the future of retail consumption and what do the unique shopping environments in which they are found tell us about the social relations of exchange?Answering these questions and many more, this book fills a major gap in consumption studies. Gregson and Crewe argue that second hand cultures are critical to any understanding of how consumption is actually practised. Following the life stories of goods as they travel into and through second hand sites, the authors look at the work of traders as well as consumers' investments in second hand merchandise n including gifting and collecting as well as rituals of personalization and possession. Through its revealing investigation into the practices and customs that make up these unconventional retail worlds, this much-needed study carefully unpacks the persuasive allure of the 'previously owned'.

Nestled in a remote area of northwestern Pennsylvania, the small town of Tidioute became home to five cutlery manufacturers starting in the late-1800s. Although no longer in existence, these businesses produced some of the finest collectible knives and razors ever.

"Tidioute: A Town With an Edge "relates the history and development of this unique stronghold of cutlery companies and how they competed with one another in the area known as the "Magic Circle" of cutlery firms. These manufacturers included the Tidioute Cutlery Co. (LTD), Union Razor/Union Cutlery, Baldwin Cutlery, Tidioute Cutlery Co. and Penn Cutlery.

With an ardent sense of detail, David Anthony shows how the cutlery tradition was handed down over multiple generations and involved keen business sense mixed with tragedy and luck. Anthony also includes photos of the various tang stamps used by the companies and a price guide to help determine the value of cutlery from this historic town.

A must-have for the serious collector of fine antique knives, particularly those manufactured in Tidioute, this guide is also an in-depth, well-researched record of this unique Pennsylvania community.

A comprehensive and practical guide to the United States Treasury bond market, this timely book offers a detailed introduction to the workings of the largest government debt market in the world and the investment opportunities it provides.

Wann begins by outlining the history and development of the market, explaining how it operates and examining the parts played by dealers, investors, and the U.S. government authorities. The U.S. Treasury market is compared with the UK gilts market and its economic and political background is analyzed. He goes on to provide an introduction to investment theory and analytical methods, including yield and return calculations, and looks at futures and options contracts on treasury bonds. The book concludes with a consideration of more advanced investment theory and investment strategies. The appendices include bond-equivalent yield calculations, formal mathematical proofs, statistical data on U.S. government finances since 1789, and a comprehensive glossary. Written by the Senior Economist in the London office of a major U.S. investment house, "Inside the U.S. Treasury Market" is an authoritative and important book. It will be particularly useful for fund managers, investment analysts, brokers, bankers, and corporate treasurers.

This early work is a fascinating read for any antique enthusiast or historian. Its 191 pages are extensively illustrated with full page and text plates. Contents Include: The Colonial Styles - Jacobean or Stuart, William and Mary, queen Anne-Early Georgian, Chippendale, The Federal Styles - Hepplewhite, Shearer, and Early Sheraton, American Directoire, American Empire, Decoration - Interior Architecture, and Decorative Accessories. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Originally published in 1898. This comprehensive and well illustrated book will enable the explorer of churches to more fully appreciate the true value of those ancient brazen memorials which adorn many pavements, walls and interiors. Contents Include: Origin and History of the Manufacture of Brasses Making a Collection Classes of Effigies Brasses of Knights Ladies Civilians Shroud Brasses Accessories Additional Classes A Literary Guide List of Counties and Places etc.

While there are more than 15,000 museums in our country, visitors get to see only about five percent of any institution's collections. Most museums simply don't have room to display everything they've got. However, there are a wide variety of surprising and intriguing reasons that, for example, the Smithsonian Institution doesn't display its collection of condoms, Florida's Lightner Museum locks up all but one of its shrunken heads, and a world-class stash of Japanese erotica (shunga) art was kept in the Honolulu Museum of Art's storage until only recently. Each item or collection included in this volume is described and placed in context with stories and interviews that explore the historical, social, cultural, political, environmental, or other circumstances that led to keeping that object or group of objects out of public view--the ultimate museum buff's voyeuristic experience. Color photographs of the artifacts are included.

Bring the calm of a day at the beach to your desktop anytime of year with Zen Garden Beach Day. A welcome respite from the demands of everyday life, it's the perfect meditative desk accessory for fun and effective stress relief. Includes everything you need to assemble your own Beach Zen Garden: 3 x 3-inch mini zen gardening tray, bag of sand, wooden rake, and miniature accessories (umbrella, starfish, towel, flip flops, tropical beverage) Illustrated mini book: Includes a 32-page mini book on the benefits of mediation Great Gift: A fun, stress-relieving desktop accessory for home or the office

Once, nutmeg was worth its weight in gold. For much of human history, the tiny Banda Islands in Indonesia were the only source of this esteemed spice. From the age of the Silk Roads through to the mid-19th century partial shift of production to the Caribbean, covering battles between the Honourable East India Company and the Dutch Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie, this book traces the story of nutmeg, revealing its extensive and often surprising influence over conflict, politics, social mores, and Western society. Beautiful antique silver, gold, enamel, bone, ivory, treen and Tunbridgeware graters and rasps demonstrate how much nutmeg was valued throughout history. This book gathers pictures of some of the finest examples world-wide, alongside mechanical and base metal graters and spice containers. It illustrates, and provides useful information on, the history of pomanders which were associated with nutmeg, as this spice was once thought to ward off pestilence and plague. Combining the social history of nutmeg with explanations of the spice production and transportation process, and illustrating in detail examples in international nutmeg grater collections and museums, this book is the essential reference work for collectors, antique dealers and auctioneers.

A generous selection of diverse thought on the search for and collection of manuscripts and autograph letters, and their role in the history of ideas, has been culled from the first twenty years of Manuscripts, the Manuscript Society's quarterly publication. Priscilla S. Taylor has arranged, condensed, and, where possible, updated fifty-six memorable articles on the rich variety of the manuscript experience. The articles are grouped into five sections: Pointers for the Collector; Areas in Which to Collect; Historical Documents; Penmanship and Writing Systems; and Manuscripts as a Key to Biography and History. The subject range is broad. Readers will learn what to buy, how to buy, how to avoid forgeries, and how to handle a collection.

The definitive collection of Ohio's odd, wacky, and most offbeat people, places, and things, for Ohio residents and anyone else who enjoys local humor and trivia with a twist.

The definitive collection of New Hampshire's odd, wacky, and most offbeat people, places, and things, for New Hampshire residents and anyone else who enjoys local humor and trivia with a twist.

The definitive collection of South Carolina's odd, wacky, and most offbeat people, places, and things, for South Carolina residents and anyone else who enjoys local humor and trivia with a twist.