Where voices are powered by the sun (Jan, 1956)
Source: Scientific American ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Jan, 1956
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Tags: bell
Where voices are powered by the sun
A new kind of telephone system developed by Bell Telephone Laboratories for rural areas is being operated experimentally by electric current derived from sunlight. Electric current is generated as sunlight falls on the Bell Solar Battery, which a lineman is seen adjusting in position.
The exciting achievement is made possible by two Laboratories inventions—the solar battery and the transistor. The new system uses transistors to the complete exclusion of electron tubes.Transistors require little power and this power can be easily supplied by the solar battery.
Compact and economical, the transistorized system can carry several voices simultaneously without interference. It has proved its ruggedness by standing up to heat, cold, rain and lightning. It promises more and improved telephone service for rural areas and it typifies the Laboratories’ continuing efforts to make American telephony still better each year.
BELL TELEPHONE LABORATORIES
That’s quite the array of anti-pigeon spikes on that solar panel.
Comment by Toronto — November 29, 2009 @ 3:37 pm
…and it is still beyond my comprehension why they would call it a solar “battery”.
Comment by Bernd — December 5, 2009 @ 8:31 am
Bernd: I have no doubt. Maybe because it fits the dictionary definition of “battery” http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Battery as in:
4 a : a combination of apparatus for producing a single electrical effect b : a group of two or more cells connected together to furnish electric current; also : a single cell that furnishes electric current .
Boy, you suck at this!
Comment by Firebrand38 — December 5, 2009 @ 3:07 pm