The World's First Diesel Fueled Hybrid

By Dennis J James

The 3008 Hybrid4 is Peugeot's offer of the first diesel fueled hybrid in the world. While other hybrid cars use a petrol engine, Peugeot's hybrid combines the turbo diesel unit designed to power the front wheels with the electric motor driving the rear axle. The car is more fuel efficient than other hybrids and it also offers a four-wheel drive mode.
The diesel engine is connected to a gearbox that is electronically controlled but also can function manually on a six-speed sequential system. The kinetic energy produced during deceleration is transformed into electrical energy that can recharge the Nickel Metal Hydride batteries. The hybrid offered by Peugeot can operate on both front-drive only, rear-drive only or all wheel drive modes.

European sales will start in the spring of 2011. In the U.S. however, sales for hybrids have dropped during the last few years. It seems that some hybrid buyers prefer full-electric cars.
The first hybrid car in the U.S. was Honda Insight sold in December 1999. A decade later one and a half million hybrids were sold in the United States. For the next decade, car manufacturers are offering a variety of electric or hybrid cars to satisfy consumers that are interested in using vehicles that are more environmentally friendly.

The History of Christmas Trees

By: Enid Edginton

You may not realize this but the history of christmas trees did not begin in America, England or even Germany. In fact America was one of the last continents to catch on to the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree. The history of christmas trees begins long before the birth of Christ and even before the Egyptian civilizations.

Many historians and anthropologists agree that the history of christmas trees begins in post-primeval times, just as agricultural societies were developing across the globe.  Christmas did not exist. It was simply, in one culture or another, a pagan celebration of the winter solstice.  The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year which usually occurs on the 22nd or 23rd of December.  The boughs of evergreen trees were brought indoors to protect inhabitants from the evil spirits that could cause starvation and illness.

Ancient peoples also scattered evergreen boughs over their floors, doors and around the windows. In fact, the tradition of hanging an evergreen garland comes from the tradition of hanging evergreens over the mantelpiece to keep witches, ghosts and spirits from traveling down the chimney and into the house. 

Top 50 Christmas Songs (Original)

By: Sumeer Sudhakar

Its Christmas Time! The time to get together with family and really close friends. It's the time to share good times with great food, wine...and music! Yes...if it were not for the amazing choice of Christmas music available these days, Christmas wouldn't be as 'Merry' as it is expected to be.

Much as what we know as Christmas Music has actually come together in a phased manner over the years. First there were the traditional Christmas carols such as Silent Night, Away In A Manger, O Little Town Of Bethlehem etc. Over the years, music evolved to not only specifically address Christmas but the 'Holiday Season' altogether. Members of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers over the years have put together a number of songs popular known as 'Holiday Songs' such as 'Silver Bells', 'Winter Wonderland' or the popular 'The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)'. Widely used by almost every artist today on their Christmas Albums, these songs form the staple of today's Christmas Music. In an attempt to add-on to these, artists further started creating their original songs. Not all really make it as 'Popular' songs to sing during Christmas, but more-so become most popular songs 'heard' during Christmas.

I have always felt that Christmas Music I hear during the season, really inspire me in more ways I could have ever thought. It gives me a new sense of wonder and spirit. It adds to the cheer on the whole. It is for this reason I would like a separate host of songs which play this role to my Christmas rather than just songs I sing.

When it comes down to finding the right songs, the question at this time really is which ones, really add to 'spirit' of the season and actually give you that feeling of warmth, love and Christmas cheer? What really do you want to hear from your favorite artist? Is it a carol, is it a popular Christmas song or is it an original Christmas song? When I sit down to actually answer this question, I'd rather hear a new original song.

So keeping this in mind, I set out on the search for my Top 50 Christmas Original Songs;