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SolderSmoke Daily News
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Watch Mr. Wizard! 1952 Program on Electromagnetism. And more! (video)
Posted: 16 Jun 2022 06:22 AM PDT
http://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/2022/06/watch-mr-wizard-1952-program-on.html
Wow. This is a very thought provoking program. It is kind of like "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood," but with science. The lessons provided by Mr. Wizard
are really good, but one shudders to think about doing the these
experiments with kids (or even with adults!) in today's world. Here are a
few of things that would cause trouble today:
-- Liquid mercury. -- A big power supply. ("Here Willy, you hold the
positive terminal.") -- Even the sprinkling of iron filings would probably require masks at a minimum. -- In the end, letting poor Willy drop to the floor when Betsy turns off the electromagnet that was holding his swing in
the air. -- And of course, poor old Mr. Wizard's affinity for the kids
would stir suspicions.
We also see a sad and very early example of the influence of advertisers
and what they call today "product placement." Note the fairly obvious plug (via Morse Code!) for breakfast cereal. In the credits you will see that
the program was sponsored by "The Cereal Institute." What next kids? Cigarettes?
But there is a lot of virtue in this program: The development of the
telegraph key, Morse Code, CW sidetone. Unlike many of the Box Top Extras
of today, young Betsy was not afraid to wind a coil.
We should all embrace the spirit of Mr. Wizard. We are, after all, the International Brotherhood of Electronic WIZARDS! These experiments
reminded me a lot of the Trivial Electric Motor that my son Billy and I
made when he was around Willy's age (thanks for the idea Alan Yates).
Thanks to Chuck KF8TI for alerting us to this show. Chuck says this
program was an early influence on him, and was one of the things that
provided a connection between the theory he was learning in college and the real world of electronic devices.
Many more great programs like this can be found on Mr. Wizard's YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/MrWizardStudios Please let us know
if you find other videos (on this channel or elsewhere) that will be of special interest to the IBEW.
Finally, color TV in 1952? That seems a bit early for color. What do you folks think was happening here?
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Hans Summers G0UPL Wins FDIM 2N2222A Power Out Challenge -- 4.1 Watts
from Two 2N2222As
Posted: 14 Jun 2022 03:28 PM PDT
http://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/2022/06/hans-summers-g0upl-wins-fdim-2n2222a.html
Farhan told me how cool this was. And he was right. It looks like a lot
of fun. Congratulations Hans!
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