Ok, well the first time i saw this was on Youtube so it was totally out of context. I was quite sure I had happened on a lost outtake of Sesame Street. I imagined that just as the letter “M” slid by Lenard the Wolf to suddenly leap from the back of the canoe and blow the poor woman into the lake. Which of course would be totally out of his character since we all know that Lenard the Wolf is his own “wolf”. As he said himself, “I am a wolf, but I don’t huff and puff like my brother does! Just because one wolf huffs and puffs, it doesn’t mean all wolves do…”

Oh, sorry. . I’m watching Sesame Street in my mind again. . .

Anyway, This video is part of a new campaign by Madison Gas & Electric here in Wisconsin to promote alternative energy sources. In this case you see the paddler (Megan P of Rutabaga) is demonstrating the vast power of the Alphabet. In these early stages of “Alphabet Power”, the energy of the “M” is used much like the hybrid technology we see in the automotive industry today. Each time the operator disengages the paddle, the “M” takes over and the boat continues forward. In current trials one 70lb “M” can save up to 4 granola bars & a Gator-aid per 4 hours of travel. Scientists imagine that as this alphabetical technology advances, the letters will become small enough to fit in an average sized beer cooler. It is even hoped that one day a canoe will be able to travel up to 3oo yards or more without engaging the paddle! This technology has a wide array of applications beyond just that of canoing. One day you may see letters in Kayaks and Catamarans as well. Some physicists believe that in the not-so-distant future, letters may be strung together to form something they call, “Words”. Word Power?? Amazing!