The "tube," as it was known, was a glass container, filled with nothing (or a "vacuum," as our primitive ancestors called it, as if such a thing could actually exist) and claimed to have amplifying properties. Similar to homeopathy, it was merely superstition.
;)
I may be the only other person here who knows why old car radios required the occasional sharp rap to start up and what relationship that might have to the linked story.
That's cool! I didn't know about thump-starting old car radios; I knew they used electronic vibrators to boost 6vdc battery voltage to power the tubes. I know what the electronic vibrators do, and how they do it - am I safe in guessing that they didn't take kindly to early automotive use, due to humidity, temperature changes, questionable suspensions, etc., and needed the occasional gentle "manual reset" to unstick them when turned on? I'm 39 (honest!) - but I like electronics, and I read a LOT. :)
Comment moderation is enabled. Your comment will not be visible until approved. Arguing or use of insulting or derogatory language will result in your comment going unpublished: no name-calling. Comments I deem excessively partisan will not be published.
Man, that's a lot of D cells.
ReplyDeleteWait! They sell the Vibrator of Death over at.... Never mind!
ReplyDeleteWhat an odd story!
ReplyDelete"She is known for her personal magnetism," responded Flocon.
"Yesterday the steel-workers in Nevers went back, to a man, after she had sung and spoken to them."
Like reading one of those contemporaneous Tom Swift stories: "Anne, look out!" Tom ejaculated.
WV: ditanine - a chemical made from condensed Morse code characters.
I'm a little concerned Keads knows where to get that...
ReplyDeleteHas no-one here ever thump-started a tube car radio?
ReplyDeleteRitchie: What's a tube? And why is it in a radio?
ReplyDeleteThe "tube," as it was known, was a glass container, filled with nothing (or a "vacuum," as our primitive ancestors called it, as if such a thing could actually exist) and claimed to have amplifying properties. Similar to homeopathy, it was merely superstition.
ReplyDelete;)
I may be the only other person here who knows why old car radios required the occasional sharp rap to start up and what relationship that might have to the linked story.
That's cool! I didn't know about thump-starting old car radios; I knew they used electronic vibrators to boost 6vdc battery voltage to power the tubes. I know what the electronic vibrators do, and how they do it - am I safe in guessing that they didn't take kindly to early automotive use, due to humidity, temperature changes, questionable suspensions, etc., and needed the occasional gentle "manual reset" to unstick them when turned on? I'm 39 (honest!) - but I like electronics, and I read a LOT. :)
ReplyDeleteMan, that's some doorbell buzzer.
ReplyDeleteGiven the names I assume the action takes place in Paris, which had several areas wired for DC, so no giant rectifier would be needed.
But it would be a bit hard on the head of the dude in chair at the end of the clapper.
Oh, code words in reverse order.
Mallory. Yaxley. The buffer is a paper .001 at 1600v.
Stranger
NYEMT: Bingo!
ReplyDelete