I guess the two things I was most interested in were telescopes and steam engines. My father was an engineer on a threshing rig steam engine and I loved the machinery.

I shed many a tear when the steam engines went out of style on the railroads. I'd like to seem them come back, but I realize the diesels are more efficient.

I was interested in telescopes and the way they worked because I had an intense desire to see what things looked like, so I learned how to use telescopes and find things in the sky.

When I was in the fourth grade, I became intensely interested in geography and I learned it well.

We were suddenly faced with the necessity of training a lot of young men in the art of navigation.

I guess it's better having him interested in gas engines rather than having him in the tavern or chasing these young girls.