Editor’s letter

I’ve been handed the editor’s reins of Popular Mechanics, and it’s funny what that’s done to my brain. I’ve taken to carrying around a notebook wherever I go – to jot down story ideas. It even lies next to me on my bedside table at night, in case I wake up with a feature idea flopping around inside my head that I know mustn’t get away. Making notes on my cellphone just wasn’t cutting it – and besides, that darned thing is in my hands enough as it is already.

Being in charge of this magazine is a rather daunting responsibility. Our big brother – the US version of PM – dates back to 1902, so before me have come many capable editors whose primary professional purpose it was to dig a little bit deeper into the world’s inner workings and then divulge the findings to you, our valued readers. I hope I can do them all proud.

This issue is my first as editor, and it’s quite fittingly themed ‘DIY’. I say that because I don’t think anyone could have grown up with a father who is more DIY-orientated than mine. He’s now retired, but enjoyed a long and successful career as an electromechanical engineer. He now keeps himself very busy performing tasks like fitting a solar hot-water system at home, rebuilding kitchen countertops, installing rain-watertank storage units around the house, and – among a plethora of other undertakings – servicing his (and his mates’) cars. Which is rather convenient, because I roped in his services this month to tell us what goes into a minor car service (page 76), and how to do it – you guessed it – yourself.

As the months pass, it’s certainly not my intention to reinvent the wheel (unless someone else does, in which case we’ll definitely tell you about it). PM has always found a wonderful balance with its content, talking science, engineering, practical tips and advice, lifehacks, DIY, technology, sports, motoring and more. Some features may resonate with one group of readers, while the same articles may annoy a different set of them. I hope you just keep in mind that we’re catering to a wide audience, and, no matter the topic, we are here to inform, enlighten and entertain.

I look forward to the journey with you, and am excited to kick it off with this mag.