Old Tech thread

[Alex The G and T]

View attachment 123057​

Barney Fife used one of these when a new state mandate declared him too skinny and too short to qualify to be a Deputy Sheriff.

Aunt Bee fattened him up and Andy hung him in a closet for three days.

 

[Parson]

Barney Fife used one of these when a new state mandate declared him too skinny and too short to qualify to be a Deputy Sheriff.

Aunt Bee fattened him up and Andy hung him in a closet for three days.

But he passed because they put a log chain around his neck when he was weighed.

 

[Harpo]

This computer is never obsolete

 

[farntfar]

I can remember dreaming of owning such a beast.
And with an in-built 56K modem to boot.

 

[Pyan]

And designed for Windows98!

 

[Parson]

And designed for Windows98!

Well it could have optimized Windows95.

 

[Danny McG]

Giant screen TV with integrated VCR from 1978.
It must have taken an eight man delivery team!

 

[Dave]

Sony Betamax was still better!

 

[Pyan]

It's not that integrated - the VHS is an optional extra!

 

[farntfar]

And it doesn't appear to have a remote unless the man comes included in the integrated system.

Voice activation. "Could you switch over to BBC2 now please, Smithers?"

 

[Ursa major]

And it doesn't appear to have a remote

If it was close to the TV, it wouldn't be a remote....

 

[Pyan]

Yes, there was a remote, or rather 'the chairside convenience of random access remote control.' Why use one word when seven will do?
And note that 'three times the size of a 25" diagonal console' does not mean a 75" diagonal screen.

To be fair, though, we've come a long way in 50 years...

 

[Astro Pen]

Giant screen TV with integrated VCR from 1978.
It must have taken an eight man delivery team!
View attachment 123358

I'd like to read the clipboard:
"Try to look like an executive who won't take his wife's advice on neckties."
"The screen color balance is off so we are going with the cloud video for the ad"

 

[Alex The G and T]

 

[Pyan]

And at the other end of the speed spectrum:

1962 record attempt. French cyclist José Meiffret pedals down the Autobahn at 127 miles per hour, or 204 km/h. Look at that gear-wheel!

 

[Vertigo]

And at the other end of the speed spectrum:

View attachment 123445​

1962 record attempt. French cyclist José Meiffret pedals down the Autobahn at 127 miles per hour, or 204 km/h. Look at that gear-wheel!

What about safe driving distances!!! 127mph and he is only inches behind the car in front!! Outrageous!

Despite my joking, yes, I've read the article and, yes, they were very aware of the dangers and, yes, there were several cyclist deaths doing this dangerous 'sport' of 'motor-paced racing'. I'm actually in awe of their bravery and a little bemused by their craziness!

 

[Pyan]

Here's the bike. As well as that oversized gearwheel, it had wooden wheel-rims, as metal ones got too hot and distorted, letting the air out.
He pedaled only 2.64 revolutions per second at top velocity. Estimated rear wheel diameter = 27in and gear ratio = 10:1. So rear wheel revolves 26.4 times per second at 127.243mph, and pedals revolve more slowly by a gear ratio of 10, or 2.64. That back wheel revolves at 1584 rpm!

​

And here's a video of an earlier, failed attempt. Warning! Accident and blood!

 

[Christine Wheelwright]

I wonder why they turned the forks backwards. I don't think that would help the handling at all. When cycling at high speeds the resistance is almost all from the air (negligible from friction). I think this speed record is still periodically attempted and surpassed today, using a near-identical method.

The long wheelbase and front suspension would sacrifice maneuverability in favor of stability (most important when riding in a straight line at over 100mph).

 

[Astro Pen]

In the 1980's Tony Foale experimented with motorcycle forks. Results were different to what one would predict. Particularly with no forward angle.

Experiments with steering geometry » Motochassis by Tony Foale

© Tony Foale. 2000-2018. (The experiments were conducted around 1982/83.) Rake The author’s ideas mentioned in other articles in relation to the angle of the steering axis (rake) were subsequently put to the test by modifying a readily available standard production machine – a BMW R75/5. There...

motochassis.com

 

[Vertigo]

I wonder why they turned the forks backwards. I don't think that would help the handling at all.

This is so the cyclist can get as close as possible to the windscreen carried by the motor vehicle. That screen has a roller on it so that if the bike front wheel actually touches it won't act as a brake. The closer they get to the windscreen the better the wind shielding but also the more dangerous as in reality they reckoned that a touch at full speed would result in instant breakup of the wheel.