Today we went on our first study tour to the National Building Museum. Dr. Kolson mentioned the importance of the old Pension Building where it is located, and how at the time it was built in 1887 it was recognized for cutting edge heating and cooling systems. These systems happen to be nothing more than strategically placed windows throughout the building. This struck me because a revival of these practices is currently occuring to reduce energy consumption in new homes and buildings. So much for expensive air conditioning and natural gas that impose costs to society beyond costs to the consumer (externalities). This highlights an instance where technology has, in some respects, failed to deliver the least costly solution to a problem in the long run.

Mike