Russian Proposes GLOBAL TV (Jun, 1958)

Russian Proposes GLOBAL TV

THE RATHER LIMITED conception of radio transmission we had back in 1925, when we wondered whether radio waves could be propagated through space (see opposite page), has progressed to a stage where today we are near the point of transmitting television through space. With the launching of the first Sputnik last October, the dream of global TV received a tremendous shot in the arm and it has gathered momentum with each additional satellite thrown into the sky—both Russian and American. The magazine which first published data on Sputnik I, the Soviet periodical Radio, has outlined a plan which would allow nearly every TV set anywhere on earth to pick up a program transmitted from any other point. Television today, of course, is pretty much limited by line of sight, except in those areas which have coaxial cables, and a few spots which are equipped with over-the-horizon scatter facilities. The system proposed by engineer V. Petrov would make use of satellites which would pick up signals from stations on earth and bounce them to other satellites for more distant relay.

“STATIONARY” SATELLITES

If a satellite is launched from the equator so that it follows an eastward track at the proper speed and height, it will remain over one spot on the equator. In other words, if it went into orbit over Belem in Brazil, or Stanleyville in the Belgian Congo, or Singapore in Malaya, it would remain fixed in the sky over that spot. This is because—if the velocity and height are correct—the speed of the satellite will exactly match the eastward rotation of the earth. It will be making an orbit of the earth once in 24 hours (compared to the 90 to 106 minutes or so for the present satellites. Since the earth rotates on its axis once in 24 hours, there will be no relative motion between the two spheres.

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Pocket-Size Wire Recorder (Aug, 1953)

Seems like you’d need a pretty big pocket if that hand holding it is any indication

Pocket-Size Wire Recorder
PERHAPS one of the most sensational units to appear on the wire-recorder scene recently is a complete battery-operated recorder, 6-3/4x 4-3/8 x l-1/2 in. in size. It records, erases and plays back through a pair of lightweight earphones.

The entire recorder fits any average-size pocket, or it can be carried and operated in a fabric shoulder-type carrying case, as illustrated in photo A. Two types of sensitive miniature crystal microphones are available, as shown in photo D. One is a lapel variety and the other is a wrist-watch type worn by the operator in photo A, for making concealed recordings useful in detective work and for checking comments in crowds at shows and similar applications.

This Minifon recorder, made in Germany, is now available on the American market; it is powered with standard miniature A and B-batteries. The motor is driven by a Mallory mercury-cell-type battery pack that sells for $4.25. This provides 24-hour service. The A and B-batteries last for full shelf life. An a.c. power-supply unit also is available for operating the motor from 110-120 volt a.c. lines. Photos B and C are internal and external views of the recording and playback unit. Recording wire is available in spools providing 1/4 to 2-1/2 hours of continuous operation.

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“NO-HANDS” TRAIN (Jun, 1958)

“NO-HANDS” TRAIN
You don’t need an engineer on this tractor-train, because the system at Esso’s Baton Rouge refinery is electronically controlled. The train, which pulls five trailers at 2-3/4 miles at hour, follows the electromagnetic field of a wire laid in the floor.
Two gates in the building open automatically as the train approaches and shut when it passes. It makes 11 stops at service points called “beacons.” Each “beacon” sends out a different signal to stop the train at the proper place.
Known as “Guide-O-Matic,” the train is made by the Barrett-Cravens Co., Northbrook, 111.

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Stuffed Frog Makes Novel Lamp (Oct, 1934)

Stuffed Frog Makes Novel Lamp
NOVELTY taxidermy, in which mounted birds and animals are arranged in special poses to serve as useful articles, is fast becoming a fad in this country. One of the most popular subjects is the frog lamp.

A stuffed bullfrog reclines lazily against his toadstool shade, holding a tiny fish-pole. Swamp grass glued to the base makes a realistic shore line, while a bit of mirror serves as the pool.

Mounted bull-frog fishing on bank of pool under shade of giant toadstool makes attractive table lamp. Taxidermists find great demand for specimens mounted in natural settings such as this. Tiny electric light bulbs are under the shade.

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AT THE FRONT IN ETHIOPIA (Jan, 1936)

Really interesting piece about reporters covering the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1936. It’s interesting to contrast with the current reports coming out of Iraq. I wonder if they still suffer from mutton fatigue.


AT THE FRONT IN ETHIOPIA

by Arthur T. Robb
Managing Editor of “Editor & Publisher”

THERE’S a war on in East Africa. Since early summer, when it became certain that II Duce intended to capture for Italy the last vestige of Africa not already under European rule, scores of young and old men in journalism, American and European, have turned their faces to the Red Sea, hoped or planned that their next assignment would be in Ethiopia. To youth it offered opportunity for fame and adventure denied them by the routine of police court or city hall. To the veterans of a score of big and little wars like Karl Von Wiegand and Floyd Gibbons, the din and dust of battle preparations were as the bell for the old fire horse. They had to be on their way.

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“BASH AN APACHE”?!?! (Jun, 1959)

I’m really not sure what this has to do with Apaches, but damn! Spikes and acid?

“BASH AN APACHE” says this Paris cab driver, showing teeth, nail-studded bully, acid squirter he uses on tough customers

Update:
In the comments Stannous explains the term Apache. It’s actually much more interesting than the picture:

Not the Indians- French thugs:
By 1874 Paris was swarming with vagabonds. Consisting mostly of juvenile delinquents, these ten thousand or so ruffians would evolve into a new generation of street-fighter, banding into a gang which came to be known as the Apache.
The word “Apache” (pronounced “ah – PAHASH”) is a Parisian term used to describe the French street gangs of the early 1900s. The era’s local newspapers often described the violence perpetrated by these gangs as synonymous with the ferocity of Apache Indians in battle.

The typical French Apache was a young, lower-class, pimp-type vagabond with connections to the underworld. An interesting by-product of this underground culture was “Apache dancing” — a type of “street swing” which simulated actions and movements of urban violence, and actually contained combat techniques particular to the typical Apache’s repertoire. This dance was reportedly so violent that participants sometimes died of injuries sustained from being thrown across bars, onto tables, or after being struck with mistimed blows.

Understandably, this form of dancing was confined to the Apache culture, although for a short time it did attract the attention of the upper class, who came to appreciate a toned-down version which was said to be somewhat similar to the tango.

The Apaches most prominently focused on their own form of street combat however. Crude and unscrupulous, yet highly effective, “French Apache street fighting” emphasised the use of elementary street kicks, hand strikes, head-butts, throws, and an assortment of weapons both standard and improvised which included knuckle dusters, knives, razors, scarves, bodkins,,jackets, hats, the Apache gun and even sheep bones!

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I’M VERY DEAF BUT I HEAR Everything (Mar, 1950)

Yes, and I’m very blind, but I can see everything.


I’M VERY DEAF BUT I HEAR

Everything with My New
Zenith “MINIATURE” HEARING AID
Don’t let deafness kill the joys of living. Let a Zenith home trial prove you, too, can even hear a whisper. Here’s Zenith’s amazing guarantee—if any $200.00 hearing aid outperforms Zenith’s newest, tiny, 6.75 oz. single-unit “Miniature” Ra-dionic Hearing Aid in efficiency or economy, your money back—under our 10-Day Return Privilege. Only $75.00 complete, ready to wear. For authorized Zenith Hearing Aid Dealer in your locality, consult your classified telephone book; or write us for complete coast-to-coast dealer list. Free descriptive literature on request. Address—
Zenith Radio Corporation, Hearing Aid Division Dept. 391, 5801 W. Dickens Ave., Chicago 39, III.
Makers of World Famous Zenith Radio, FM and Television Sets

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Harried Secretary (Apr, 1945)

Can you imagine cooking ham, eggs, toast and coffee at your desk? I once worked with a woman who had a habit of microwaving bacon in our office, that was bad enough for me.

Eggs, Toast, Coffee
can all be made on this one compact utensil, among the first of the promised innovations awaiting the end of the war. After making ham and eggs, you can toast bread by raising the movable grill three inches above the heating unit. It’s a boon for harried secretaries.

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Shower and Beach Hood (Nov, 1934)

Truly a miracle of modern science.

Shower and Beach Hood
MADE of oiled silk, this waterproof hood permits milady to enjoy the thrills of the shower without damaging her permanent wave.

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Giant Cleaner Sucks Out Bus (Sep, 1953)

I wish I could clean my house this way…

Giant Cleaner Sucks Out Bus
A Chicago company cleans out 110 buses every 24 hours with a king-size vacuum cleaner that attaches to the front door’ and inhales all the debris in each vehicle. Two 28-inch vacuum fans “create air pressure behind a huge bellows that does the job. A man helps remove stubborn particles with an air hose.

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