Re: [math-fun] Even Jeb Bush is smarter than the NYT

The Purple Streak, Hilarie Orman writes:

What causes old books to have such a characteristic smell? Is it a bacteria that attacks the paper? Should I freeze my dear CRC Handbook?

I'd guess it's mold, not bacteria. I'd recommend freeze-drying, not freezing, if you are serious, with an argon back-fill. A more serious problem is the acid used in post 1900 paper, which is making modern books almost useless after only 30 years.