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Works That Work, No.6,
Cover photo: Johann Linell with the Volvo
he and two friends retrofitted with a
gassifier. In 20 days in 2007, they drove
5,420 kilometres around Sweden on the
power generated by seven cubic metres of
wood. (Photo courtesy of Johann Linell.)
Articles Artefacts Blog Sign In 
8IJ 1?8K /LE FE 1I<<J Share
by Jonah Goodman (3044 words)
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 ‘Wood-gas is cheap, economical, and ends your dependence on gasoline, crude oil and petroleum.’ So reads the advert from Motor Schau, a Nazi-era
motoring magazine. Wood-gas powered transport holds a special appeal for totalitarian regimes seeking independence from world trade, and is still
used in North Korea today. (From Motor Schau magazine, 1941)

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Adolf Hitler inspects a wood-gas vehicle. When originally published in a 1941 edition of Motor
Schau magazine, the image ran above a quotation from the Nazi leader: ‘These vehicles will still
have special significance after the war because increasing motorisation will mean we never have
enough oil, which leaves us dependent on imports. This fuel from the homeland is good for the
homeland’s economy.’ (From Motor Schau magazine, 1941)

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(Photo courtesy of Johann Linell.)

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Johan Linell cleaning the cooler on his wood-gas Volvo, which he made from an old steel diesel tank. Cooling the gas makes it denser and condenses
water out of the fuel mix so that more power is delivered to the engine. After use, Johan found the inside of the cooler would be coated with a
mysterious creamy substance. ‘It reminded me of Vaseline.’ (Photo courtesy of Johann Linell.)

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(Photo courtesy of Johann Linell.)

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NFIBŒÔ

Jonah Goodman, former editor of COLORS, current member of WTW editorial board, wrote about
improvised design during the Sarajevo siege in the WTW No.4, and innovations made in prisons
in No.5

This article comes from Works That Work magazine, No.6.

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