[Calvin Locke]

Mike Rowe did a stint on a show as a lava analyzer. The over-seeing prof told him to keep the probe moving, else it would be permanently stuck, "...and they cost ~$750 each..."

Vesuvius erupted during WWII, destroying, but mostly damaging 100+ US planes. Lots of B-25s.

[mware]

My dad was serving in Italy at the time. Got a ring side seat at the eruption. Made an ash tray out of the lava. Still has it in his old trunk.