Did You Know Collection: October 2024
Smith Research Fellows Staff
By Jason Huffman:
Did you know that while many car manufacturers are moving towards full electrification, Ferrari has created plans to keep their powerful V12 engine in production? The luxury automobile manufacturer known for speed and design is expected to announce the successor of the 812 Superfast model, which already is powered by a V12, 789 hp engine, in the coming months. The gorgeous beast will maintain the beautiful V12 powerhouse while reportedly generating more than 800 hp. This comes after Ferrari released the Purosangue, a luxury four-seater sedan that comes standard with a V12, 751 hp marvel of an engine, giving drivers the ability to beat the traffic on the way to their son's soccer game. While many manufacturers seem to be moving in the direction of electrification, Ferrari has maintained their unrestricted, high-performance legacy.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/ferrari-812-successor
By John Fritz:
Did you know that there will be five additional sports at the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics? Organizers of the LA28 Games petitioned the International Olympic Committee and received approval to add baseball/softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse, and squash. Baseball has been played in the Olympics twice, in 1984 and 2021, but the other sports will be appearing for the first time. The introduction of these sports creates exciting new opportunities for athletes and fans but also raises some concerns. For example, die-hard fans, such as the approximate one billion cricket supporters in South Asia, will get to see their favorite sports played at an Olympic level, which will increase the fanfare surrounding the games and will lead to increased revenues for the IOC and the television broadcast partners. However, there are also minor concerns about the increased footprint on the host city that these sports will have. Four out of the five new sports are team games and require large playing surfaces. Therefore, the number of Olympians will increase significantly, and several additional facilities will be required. Despite these challenges, many sports fans are thrilled about the new competitions.
Did you know that 26 out of 30 Major League Baseball stadiums use infield dirt from the same Pennsylvania-based dirt farm? Pittsburgh Red Bed Claystone, when mixed with sand, provides the perfect mix for playing surfaces across the country. Why must the dirt come from this farm, and why is this type of clay the best? First, the Red Bed clay is formed deep underground under layers of sandstone, gray shale, and limestone. Thus, it can be costly to mine but is easiest to unearth at the Dura Edge facility in Pennsylvania. Second, this claystone is the material of choice for so many teams because it is great at absorbing water. The clay is capable of absorbing water very quickly and without swelling, which is perfect for baseball fields that must be kept in playing condition during sustained periods of rain. Furthermore, when the clay is crushed into a powder, mixed with sand and silt, and compacted on the field, the result is a “corkboard” type surface that requires only a thin layer of topdressing. Therefore, baseball clubs are willing to ship in dirt from across the country so that they can continue generating ticket sales and television revenue even when the weather does not cooperate.
Did you know that around half of college graduates are working in jobs that do not require their degrees? According to a recent study by the Burning Glass Institute and the Strada Education Foundation, 52% of college graduates over the past decade have been underemployed one year after their graduation, and that number barely drops to 45% underemployed at both five and ten years post-graduation. The study also found that underemployment in the first few years after graduation has a very significant negative impact on long-run incomes and career paths. The percentage of underemployed graduates depends on major and internship experience. Math intensive business programs such as accounting and finance, engineering majors, and health professional programs have the lowest percentage of underemployed graduates while public safety/security majors and recreation and wellness programs have the highest. However, regardless of major, graduates are far less likely to be underemployed if they have an internship experience while in school. Moreover, underemployment depends heavily on a graduate’s first job after college. People who accept their first job in a role that does not require a college degree are likely to get “trapped” in a specific industry or a career path that does not match their education level. Therefore, college students should choose their major wisely, actively seek internship opportunities, and be cautious in accepting their first job after school.
https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/college-degree-jobs-unused-440b2abd?mod=hp_lead_pos6