A Modern Way to Peel an Orange

Persuasive Speech 2
A Modern Way to Peel an Orange
John Dale

Introduction:

Attention Getter: How many people in here like to eat oranges? How many of you like to peel the orange with your fingers? As you can see peeling an orange with fingers is not a popular task.

Preview Statement: Today I am going to talk about the problem with peeling oranges, how lasers can improve the situation and how you can purchase a laser for peeling your own oranges.

Transition: So why is peeling an orange such a hassle?

Body:

I. The combination of penetrating the layers of an orange with your fingers can be difficult and creates a mess.

A. To fully understand the problem we need to examine the different parts of an orange.

1. According to a UCLA botany website, the outside of the orange is called the exocarp and consists of the orange flavedo, which contains scented oil sacs and also the white portion called the albedo.

2. The locule is the inner portion of the orange which is initially air filled and allows the seeds to grow.

3. As the orange matures hairs extend into the locule and fill with water, organic acids and sugar which eventually causes the locule to be the juicy part of an orange.

B. What are some of the problems that the parts of an orange cause?

1. The exocarp causes your fingers to smell and can get caught underneath fingernails.

2. If you do not have fingernails then the orange can be almost impossible to peel with your hands.

3. The locule, or juicy part of the orange can squirt you in the eye if you are not careful regarding the amount of pressure you use when peeling the orange.


Transition: Now that we have discussed the problem with peeling oranges with your hands lets discuss an alternative and clean method for accomplishing this task.

II. Using a laser to peel an orange will offer a clean, precise and high tech option.

A. According to wikipedia, a Laser is an electronic optical device that produces radiation.

1. Lasers are useful because they use concentrated energy in the form of light that can be accurately aimed onto a work surface without contact. (LASER 1)

2. It works by exciting atoms contained between two mirrors with an electrical current or light which causes photons or light particles of a certain wave length to be released
(LASER2)

B. A laser cutting device used to cut through the outer surface of an orange would have to be industrial strength.

1. According to Austin State physics professor, Vincent Harr, adding certain gasses like CO2 and an electrical current to the laser setup we discussed earlier would allow the laser to become more powerful.

2. A laser cutting machine like the one shown here could be used to cut a spiral pattern around the orange and allow you to avoid the problems associated with peeling by hand.

C. Industrial laser cutters are available from various sources.

1. Epilog Laser has a cutting machines available at prices as low as $9,000 that would include rotating assemblies to allow you to have a precise, intact, spirally peeled orange.

2. I have posted the contact information so that each of you know who to contact in order to peel an orange the clean and modern way.

Review Statement and Closing:

Review Statement: I have now told you all what the problem with peeling oranges by hand is, why lasers will solve the problems associated with peeling oranges by hand and how to purchase a laser cutter.

Closing: So next time you peel an orange, hopefully you will consider doing so with the use of a laser. Not only will your hands be cleaner but you will know that you have just peeled an orange the modern and technologically advanced way.


Works Cited
1) http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/lasers/lasers4.html

2) http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761561109/Orange_(fruit).html

3) http://www.botgard.ucla.edu/html/botanytextbooks/economicbotany/Citrus/b1241tx.html

4) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser

5) observe.phy.sfasu.edu/~ast305/Harr/LaserCutterTechnologySeminar.ppt

6) http://www.epiloglaser.com/laser_cutting.htm