Let’s hear it for the quiet heroes among us

I am always fascinated when I learn about some new thing or process I previously did not know existed, yet is necessary for my continued survival.

I toured a sewage treatment plant in my youth and was enraptured by the process and deeply impressed that this largely invisible activity was responsible for curtailing the spread of many diseases across cities throughout the world. Like many of the positive aspects of my otherwise unremarkable personality, I think this fascination stems from childhood viewings of Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rogers would delve into “Picture Picture” and visit some slightly absurd factory somewhere and teach little minds across America how crayons or scratch-and-sniff stickers or trumpets or fortune cookies or marbles were made.

This introduction into the otherwise invisible procedures of the largely engineered and fabricated world around us began the slow and important process of lifting the veil of ignorance that shrouded my understanding of much of the world. For me, to my immense pleasure, this process of illumination still continues.

For instance, I recently learned about the Haber process, which is the principle method used to capture atmospheric nitrogen and turn it into something that plants can use. In other words, it’s a way to make fertilizer. The process was developed by the German chemist Fritz Haber in the early 20th century and is still in use across the world today. It is estimated that about half of the protein in your body is made of nitrogen that was made available to plants through this process. Furthermore, the fertilizer generated is estimated to be responsible for keeping a third of the human population alive. Without this biological lynchpin, we would only be able to generate enough food to feed two-thirds of our population.

I wonder how many inventions there are that sit just out of the view of most of us who work to maintain our lives. With our division of labor as it is, it is tough to see all these crucial elements, to catch a glimpse of the interlocking big picture that comprises life in our complex modern society.

This all reminds me of Maurice Hilleman. Never heard of him? There is a good chance he has saved your life or the life of someone you love. He was an American microbiologist who developed more than 36 vaccines. If that is not a reason to get a solid “USA” chant going then I do not know what is. Hilleman is credited with saving more lives than any other medical scientist in the 20th century, which I would guess would put him in the running for having saved more lives than anyone ever. That is quite an accomplishment for someone who most of us have never heard of.

I think this plays out at the local level as well. It is truly remarkable that I can go to a local supermarket at any time of year and buy a banana. I am sure a lot of people have worked hard to deliver a fresh, tropical fruit above the 60th parallel, but their work goes largely unnoticed and these local heroes (yes, I do think this is the appropriate word; think of the happiness that accompanies fruit in mid-winter) quietly do their jobs.

I turn on the tap and water flows. I flick a switch and lights come on. I poke at some numbers on a screen and I get to talk to a friend across the world. I get hurt and the ambulance comes. I drive over a bridge and it does not collapse. I sit in an airplane and it transports me safely to whatever destination I have chosen. It is all absurdly remarkable, if you take the time to have a look at it.

So, this is a meek note of thanks to all of you who quietly do things that go unnoticed and yet maintain our standard of living. I will do my best to tip my hat to you from here on, and henceforth I promise to stop complaining about the price of bananas in Alaska.

Pete LaFrance grew up in Palmer and moved back to the area after 18 years living abroad.