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27-612: Formed from more than 200 artesian springs , Spring Lake is one of the world's largest aquifer fed systems. A state antiquities landmark, this site is also believed to be one of the longest continuously inhabited places in North America. The Meadows Center provides educational programs, recreation, hands-on activities and collaborative projects that encourage visitors, scientists and students to learn about Spring Lake's habitat, endangered species and water/environmental resource management issues. There are glass-bottom boat rides, and

54-495: A hotel there in 1928 and introduced glass bottom boats to the lake. In the 1950s, construction of a submarine theater and large spillway at one end of the lake to produce a swimming pool led to the opening of Aquarena Springs, an amusement park , at the site in 1951. Other features of the park were the Alpine Swiss Sky Ride (a Von Roll skyride), an Intamin 220 foot Sky Spiral that moved vertically above

81-814: A Wetlands Boardwalk in a shallow area of Spring Lake. The boardwalk , made of recycled plastic lumber , floats on the water and circles a marshy area that showcases the flora and fauna of a wetland ecosystem . The main aim of the center is research. The MCWE participates in underwater archaeology. It led the search for Henry Morgan's lost fleet, and played a role in rediscovering the Satisfaction in 2011. while exploring caves in Mexico, Spring Lake, and shipwrecks. The center uses unmanned aircraft (Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle) to capture photos and gather information for projects related to fisheries, wildlife, and watershed management and restoration. The Meadows Center

108-627: A regular column, Jay Leno's Garage, starting in March, 1999. *In general, dates are the inclusive issues for which an editor was responsible. For decades, the lead time to go from submission to print was three months, so some of the dates might not correspond exactly with employment dates. As the Popular Mechanics web site has become more dominant and the importance of print issues has declined, editorial changes have more immediate impact. National Magazine Awards Other awards In 1999,

135-492: Is a magazine of popular science and technology , featuring automotive , home, outdoor , electronics , science , do it yourself , and technology topics. Military topics, aviation and transportation of all types, space , tools and gadgets are commonly featured. It was founded in 1902 by Henry Haven Windsor , who was the editor and—as owner of the Popular Mechanics Company—the publisher. For decades,

162-691: Is dedicated to the sustainable management of the world's freshwater resources. They oversee the Spring Lake Management Plan, which is designed to protect healthy ecosystems, provide research and educational opportunities, and offer access for service activities. As active partners in the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan, they help ensure minimum continuous spring flows of the Comal and San Marcos Springs. The Aquarena Springs Amusement Park

189-541: Is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in North America. Artifacts discovered in digs conducted from 1979 to 1982 date back 12,000 years. The first Europeans to visit the springs were probably Spanish explorers in 1689. The springs were an important stop on the Old San Antonio Road and the Chisholm Trail . In 1847, former Republic of Texas vice president Edward Burleson purchased

216-418: Is surrounded by layers of impermeable rock or clay, which apply positive pressure to the water, it is known as an artesian aquifer . If a well were to be sunk into an artesian aquifer, water in the well-pipe would rise to a height corresponding to the point where hydrostatic equilibrium is reached. A well drilled into such an aquifer is called an artesian well . If water reaches the ground surface under

243-598: The June 1962 Alcatraz escape attempt , where three men, Frank Morris and John and Clarence Anglin, used the magazine as a reference to build life vests and a raft out of rubber raincoats and contact cement. Articles have been contributed by notable people including Guglielmo Marconi , Thomas Edison , Jules Verne , Barney Oldfield , Knute Rockne , Winston Churchill , Charles Kettering , Tom Wolfe and Buzz Aldrin , as well as some US presidents including Teddy Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan . Comedian and car expert Jay Leno had

270-660: The Aquamaids, and Ralph the Swimming Pig, and San Marcos as the Mermaid Capital of Texas. The site was acquired by Texas State University-San Marcos in 1994. Soon after, the demolition of Aquarena Springs' facilities commenced, finally concluding with the Submarine Theater and Sky Spiral in 2012. The new Meadows Center was created with an emphasis on habitat reclamation and environmental goals, adding

297-607: The Discovery Center provides educational displays allowing people to view native animals and fish. Snorkeling and diving programs are offered with an educational emphasis and interpreter led field trips. The Meadows Center develops programs and techniques for ensuring sustainable water, economic resources as well as ecosystem health . The center is used by Texas State University , and its multidisciplinary departments are involved with water resource management studies and research. The Meadows Center at Spring Lake Hall houses

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324-565: The Texas Stream Team, a volunteer program that monitors the water quality of freshwater systems throughout the state. The center was established in 1994 when Texas State, formerly Southwest Texas University, purchased land that was previously used as an amusement park, including Spring Lake, then an artificial freshwater reservoir. The San Marcos Springs are the headwaters of the San Marcos River . Aquarian Center

351-887: The United States Joe Biden called "Things My Father Taught Me" for its fatherhood issue. Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook guest-edited the September/October 2022 of Popular Mechanics . The magazine is mentioned in the 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street . In June 2020, following several high-profile takedowns of statues of controversial historical figures, Popular Mechanics faced criticism from primarily conservative commentators and news outlets for an article that provided detailed instructions on how to take down statues. In early December 2020, Popular Mechanics published an article titled "Leaked Government Photo Shows 'Motionless, Cube-Shaped' UFO." In late December, paranormal claims investigator and fellow of

378-732: The Windsor family and printed in Chicago until the Hearst Corporation purchased the magazine in 1958. In 1962, the editorial offices moved to New York City. In 2020, Popular Mechanics relocated to Easton, Pennsylvania , along with the additional brands in the Hearst Enthusiast Group ( Bicycling and Runner's World ). That location also includes Popular Mechanics' testing facility, called the Test Zone. From

405-461: The first issue, the magazine featured a large illustration of a technological subject, a look that evolved into the magazine's characteristic full-page, full-color illustration and a small 6.5" x 9.5" trim size beginning with the July, 1911 issue. It maintained the small format until 1975 when it switched the larger standard trim size. Popular Mechanics adopted full-color cover illustrations in 1915, and

432-549: The lake and rotated 360°, and "Ralph, the Famous Swimming Pig" and " mermaid " performers that could be viewed from the submarine theater. The park also included a coin-operated arcade in which human visitors would "compete" in games like Tic-tac-toe against chickens, whose "moves" in the game were determined by pecking lights which appeared only on the chicken's side of the machine. At its peak, Aquarena Springs attracted 350,000 visitors annually. Aquarena Springs

459-439: The land surrounding the headwaters of the river and built a cabin on the hill overlooking the headwaters. Two years later Burleson built a dam just below the springs to power a mill. This dam, which created Spring Lake, still exists today. Spring Lake has been visited by notable individuals including Robert E. Lee , Jay Gould , and Helen Miller Shepard . A.B. Rogers purchased the property in 1926 and his son, Paul, developed

486-520: The look was widely imitated by later technology magazines. Several international editions were introduced after World War II, starting with a French edition, followed by Spanish in 1947, and Swedish and Danish in 1949. In 2002, the print magazine was being published in English, Chinese, and Spanish and distributed worldwide. South African and Russian editions were introduced that same year. The march 1962 issue of popular mechanics magazine aided in

513-492: The magazine published a book based on that article entitled "Debunking 9/11 Myths: Why Conspiracy Theories Can't Stand Up to the Facts," with a foreword by then senator John McCain . An October 2015 issue of Popular Mechanics , featuring director Ridley Scott , included an interactive cover that unlocked special content about Scott's film The Martian . In June 2016, the magazine ran a cover story with then-Vice President of

540-692: The magazine was a puzzle on Wheel of Fortune . In April 2001, Popular Mechanics was the first magazine to go to space, traveling to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz TM-32 spacecraft. In December 2002, an issue featured the cover story and image of "The Real Face of Jesus " using data from forensic anthropologists and computer programmers . In March 2005, Popular Mechanics released an issue dedicated to debunking 9/11 conspiracy theories , which has been used frequently for discrediting 9/11 "trutherism." In 2006,

567-448: The natural pressure of the aquifer, the well is termed a flowing artesian well . Fossil water aquifers can also be artesian if they are under sufficient pressure from the surrounding rocks, similar to how many newly tapped oil wells are pressurized. Not all aquifers are artesian (i.e., water table aquifers occur where the groundwater level at the top of the aquifer is at equilibrium with atmospheric pressure). Aquifers recharge when

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594-559: The tagline of the monthly magazine was "Written so you can understand it." In 1958, PM was purchased by the Hearst Corporation, now Hearst Communications . In 2013, the US edition changed from twelve to ten issues per year, and in 2014 the tagline was changed to "How your world works." The magazine added a podcast in recent years, including regular features Most Useful Podcast Ever and How Your World Works . Popular Mechanics

621-490: The water table at its recharge zone is at a higher elevation than the head of the well. The first mechanically accurate explanation for artesian wells was given by Al-Biruni . Artesian wells were named after Artois in France , where many artesian wells were drilled by Carthusian monks from 1126. Popular Mechanics 11.9M digital 5.69M print Popular Mechanics (often abbreviated as PM or PopMech )

648-836: Was designated as a "critical habitat," subject to the Endangered Species Act , because the springs are home to the fountain darter , the Texas Blind Salamander , the San Marcos Salamander , the San Marcos gambusia , and Texas Wild Rice . The San Marcos gambusia may be extinct as none have been seen since 1983. The site contains more than 200 springs with water from the Edwards Aquifer and that discharge an average of 123 million US gallons (470,000 m) of water daily,

675-410: Was founded in Chicago by Henry Haven Windsor, with the first issue dated January 11, 1902. His concept was that it would explain "the way the world works" in plain language, with photos and illustrations to aid comprehension. For decades, its tagline was "Written so you can understand it." The magazine was a weekly until September 1902, when it became a monthly. The Popular Mechanics Company was owned by

702-561: Was on the cover of Popular Mechanics and was featured in Life . Since Aquarena Springs' closure, a documentary, Aquarena Springs and Ralph the Swimming Pig , was created in 2011 by Bob Phillips. The Mermaid Society of Texas, founded in 2016, now hosts an annual promenade and festival for the river, celebrating Aquarena's mermaids. In 2021, the Texas Congress passed Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 9 , recognizing Aquarena Springs,

729-444: Was the actual location of the resort in the 1978 film Piranha , directed by Joe Dante . 29°53′35″N 97°55′53″W  /  29.89304°N 97.93128°W  / 29.89304; -97.93128 Artesian well An artesian well is a well that brings groundwater to the surface without pumping because it is under pressure within a body of rock and/or sediment known as an aquifer . When trapped water in an aquifer

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