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"There was a time when one old eccentric guy with a notebook could do something important to science. Now even the resources of a major university are often not enough."
- Jerry Pournelle

Canola Oil  
  Vegetable oil refined for use as fuel  

Just a passing mention. Given the interest in alternative fuels, you wonder if this sort of experience lies in our near future.

One of those big articulated German cargo-rigs went by, the kind that burned canola oil. Rydell hated those things. The exhaust smelled like fried chicken.
Technovelgy from Virtual Light, by William Gibson.
Published by Bantam in 1993
Additional resources -

Rydell is one of the main characters in the book; he helps us bring our own perspective to the peculiar world of the novel. I wonder if a fried chicken franchise might sponsor some of these trucks, adding some secret spices to the exhaust?

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Additional resources:
  More Ideas and Technology from Virtual Light
  More Ideas and Technology by William Gibson
  Tech news articles related to Virtual Light
  Tech news articles related to works by William Gibson

Canola Oil-related news articles:
  - VolksVegan - Biodiesel Powered Vehicles

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