WEF Highlights

Since the end of World War II, the investment of federal money into basic research has led to many advances in engineering, materials science, computer science, medicine, and psychology. Yet, even with evidence of all these benefits, the relative contribution U.S. Congress has made into research as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) has […]

The Hohokam Native American society flourished for almost 1500 years in what is today central Arizona. Part of that long, rich history can be attributed to a breakthrough water technology: canals. Beginning around 300 C.E., the Hohokam people settled the arid desert environment of the Gila and Salt River Valley, an area that encompasses present-day […]

Imagine roaming the planet 2500 years ago as part of a nomadic tribe. You do not have a phone, electricity, car, or single other luxury. If you happened to wander into the Arabian Desert in what is modern-day Jordan, the location probably would not seem an idyllic place to stop and build a major city. […]

In 1993, an AZ Water Association committee came up with a novel idea while developing the agenda for a national collection systems conference. How about creating an exhibit of historical sewer photos to display at the conference?   Jon Schladweiler, co-chair of the committee and amateur history buff, was all in and got to work building […]

It was as true 5000 years ago as it is today: losing all your food in a flood is a major disappointment. For the people living in the Yangtze River Delta along the eastern coast of present-day China, it was also the impetus behind one of the oldest and largest formal water management systems in […]

If you and your pals were planning to start a new civilization, you would probably think twice about settling in the middle of a desert that receives less than 127 mm (5 in.) of rainfall per year. But such practical concerns didn’t faze the Persians entering the desert in present-day Iran more than 3000 years […]