US millionaire who learned the value of punctuation the hard way | Brief letters

Punctuation | Solar-powered legs | Dogs and litter | Crossword themes | Puzzle changePunctuation is indeed important (Letters, 17 July). The story goes that an American millionaire ’s wife, travelling through Europe, came across a beautiful diamond ring for sale for $1,000. She sent a telegram: “Can I buy?” “No price too high” came the reply. So she purchased the ring and her husband was furious. He had meant “No; price too high” – and it is said that after tha t incident the telegram companies introduced the convention of inserting the word “stop” at the necessary places.Fr Alec MitchellDenton, Greater Manchester• Almost everyone in the world already owns a solar-powered vehicle (Letters, 15 July). Our legs run (or walk) on the products of photosynthesis at a rate of one small banana, or the calorie equivalent in other foods, per mile. To double this fuel economy, attach a bicycle.Jo GibsonLiverpoolContinue reading...

Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - July 17, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Letters Tags: Language Dogs Animals Pets Life and style Renewable energy Environment Source Type: news