Seacoast NRG

Those younger than 40 need not continue reading.  But others might remember an episode of the show Room 222, in which the students from Walt Whitman High enter an auto race–to see which team can get the best gas mileage.  I was nine at the time, and yes, I remember watching the episode.  I’m pretty sure that Bernie was driving.  I’m also pretty sure that I watched too much tv as a child.

Having originally aired on December 28, 1973, a mere 72 days after the start of the 1973 Arab oil embargo (aka, the first “Energy Crisis”), I will brazenly state, having done no further research, that this was likely the first appearance of mileage-consciousness in the popular culture, or at least, on popular television.  Challenges to the preceding are welcome, but must be accompanied by evidence.  This would also have been about the time that my dad bought a Ford Pinto, which could get a then-impressive 20-25 mpg.

Though I loved the show, merely hearing the theme song below is a little unsettling, like being reminded of wearing plaid pants, or of having a crush on Marcia, Marcia, Marcia, even after the football hit her on the nose.