In this image Tacoma-born author Frank Herbert (1920-1986) points to fir trees that may need to be topped to allow more sunlight to reach his homemade roof-top solar collectors. He had recently installed a solar heating system that used halved beer cans as collectors. Herbert was the first science fiction author to popularize ideas about ecology and systems thinking, stressing the need for humans to think both systematically and long term. The same year this image was taken Jimmy Carter became the first president to install solar-energy panels at the White House.
Caption information source: http://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/frank-herbert-science-fiction-author-zmaz81mjzraw Caption information also derived from captions written by Post-Intelligencer staff and attached to the back of the photograph.
Physical Description: 1 photographic print : b&w ; 7.25 x 9.25 in.
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. Metadata updated as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
Credit: MOHAI, Seattle Post-Intelligencer Collection, 2000.107.087.11.04, photo by Phil H. Webber
