I just returned from a relaxing holiday in Pittsburgh (actually, I spent more time around my tiny hometown of Mars, PA — Go, Planets!) and in a nice coincidence, today is the anniversary of the opening of the first drive-up gasoline station, also in Pittsburgh. You can click here for a few other curious automotive firsts, or click on the image for a fine collection of early-20th-century Pittsburgh postcards.

Sarah and I will be doing the annual World Almanac satellite media tour this Thursday (Dec. 4), so check back here soon for a listing of all the TV stations we'll be chatting with that morning — and maybe also some reflections on the strange experience of sitting alone in a dark room for five hours, staring into a camera lens and being interviewed by people you can't see...!

Image: Postcard of World's First Drive-in Gas Station (Carol Szwedko)