SERENDIPITY___

In the present tough economic climate those struggling potters, whose survival skills have included keeping an aging auto chugging along, may find their reluctantly acquired mechanical knowledge can be combined profitably with their true vocation. From Japan comes news that Isuzu Auto Man- ufacturing in conjunction with Kyoto Ceramics have developed an @xperimental ceramic engine. The material used is the same as that for the space shuttle heat shield, The engine therefore can withstand temperatures far in excess of those tolerated by metal so requres no cooling system. Finite metal resources and the fact that this engine has a 30% lower fuel consumption than a comparable metal engine could mean that a seemingly bizarre curiousity will provide the horsepower of the future. Georgina Hughes reports however that there is no substance to the rumours that Sam Kwan makes his own sparkplugs and is forming a Ceramechanics Union. Qur consultant on things Japanese, Hiro Urakami, commented that not even the prospect of making his own car would induce him to take driving lessons:

POTTY POTTY BANG BANG ?

Our intrepid reporter Ethel Earthworm is squirming to write articles about potters. Please let us know who you would like to hear about and E.E. will slither ower and wrest their secrets from them if possible, and they agree to be interviewed’ 5