The welcome was even warmer under the Clinton administration. On a hot summer day, Bill Clinton was slated to give a speech on the White House lawn announcing an environmental initiative. Among those invited was Scott Sklar in his capacity as head of the solar trade association. Since it was hot and Sklar is bald—and something of a solar showman—Sklar decided to wear an unusual hat, a cross between a pith helmet and a beanie, with a solar-powered fan. It was only with some difficulty that he was able to persuade the White House guards to let him in. When Clinton caught sight of this odd contraption on the head of one of the guests in the crowd, it caught his interest. The president, to the distress of his staff, made his way over and asked Sklar what it was. Sklar explained. The president said he should have been wearing one too. He pulled out a business card and gave it to Sklar, telling him that if he had any other things like that, he should make a point to drop by the White House.

Daniel Yergin, The quest: Energy, security and the remaking of the modern world, New York, 2011, p. 587