1948 Mayor To MIT: Use Flamethrowers To Melt Snow?

An anonymous reader writes "In 1948 Boston mayor James Curley freaked out because of the record amounts of snow. He wrote to MIT and begged for help, even suggested using flamethrowers to melt it. (Check out the original type-written letter.)"

Call the deathray kid

[Maniacal]

Tell him we need a giant version, STAT.

this reminds me...

[SethThresher]

Doesn't the Secret Service have a supply of flame throwers they've used in the past to clear out streets when the president is suddenly snowed in somewhere? I remember reading about that, but I don't remember which president it was for...

this isn't more outlandish than "snow melters"

[SuperBanana]

Many cities use snow melters to deal with snow; that's basically the same thing. I really wonder why environmentalists aren't up in arms about it; the snow melters can burn hundreds of gallons of fuel an hour, which is more fuel than it takes to a heat a house for a month.

The Fitth Element

[PolygamousRanchKid]

I first watched this film in German ... and then I watched it later in English ... some guy (with a brilliant Texan accent) traded some guns with flame throwers and nets to some creepy crawler alien folks for stones which they didn't have. It's a hoot and a half!

Re:My Theoretical Response

[Culture20]

And it clears up the pesky stray pet population.

Re:I've been saying this all week

[SniperJoe]

You could always use the Mythbusters adage. "When in doubt, C4."

Re:this reminds me...

[pak9rabid]

I remember reading about that, but I don't remember which president it was for...

That's right..you don't.

Signed,
The Secret Service

1948??? A new low...

[Foobar of Borg]

This a new low, even for slashdot. I know stories are late here, but 1948???

Next on slashdot, an article about how scientists are developing this interesting electronic device called a "computer" and how it will revolutionize the world.