Museums

[Radio Wrangler]

Originally Posted by robinshack

The phrase I recall is "capacitors charged in parallel and discharged in series".
Rob

It's called a Marx Generator (Whether Karl or Groucho, I'm unsure)

I remember that too, and peering into a dark box...press the button and the mercury arc rectifier started up like some alien monster.

David

[m0cemdave]

I too, remember the London Science Museum from many visits in the 60's / early 70's, and share Robin's and David's views on the matter.

I once spent half a day in a magnificent industrial museum in a former dockside warehouse in Bristol. The technology was exhibited so it could be studied at close range, if one wished. I particularly recall aero engines mounted openly on plinths so you could look at the construction in great detail. I don't think it's there any more, at least in that form.

[SiriusHardware]

Originally Posted by TonyDuell

I feel one of the worst 'Hancock-ings' (in the above sense) is the Science Museum in London (South Kensington).

I last went there in the early noughties, maybe around 2003, and I was deeply unimpressed by what I had always revered (in my mind) as the nation's premier science museum, in particular by the paucity of the radio / electronics / computing display(s) - I had heard that the museum had an operational amateur radio station but if that was still the case by then, I did not find it.

Fortunately that disappointment was erased, shortly afterwards, by a visit to what was then Amberley Chalk Pits museum (Sussex) with its large shed stuffed full of interesting electronics items - it certainly put the Science Museum's meagre effort to shame, and probably still does.

[Phil G4SPZ]

A couple of really good museums that I don’t recall being mentioned - probably because they aren’t radio or electronics based - are the Avoncroft Museum of Buildings in Bromsgrove, which contains a large collection of historic telephone kiosks and working telephones, and Kidderminster Railway Museum, which amongst the railway artefacts houses a fully-working Strowger exchange and many working telephones that visitors can use.

It is always amusing watching young people trying to use a dial telephone. My 7-year-old granddaughter brought the house down when she lifted the receiver, listened to the dialling tone, and asked loudly, “What’s that farting sound?”

[Beardyman]

Having recently visited the Science Museum in London & with fond memories from my formative years I too was quite disappointed in what was on show. About the only thing I do remember seeing was a few very dishevelled, oxidised looking Bakelite radios (DAC90 etc) that seemed to have just been chucked in the display any old how. Those displays hadn't seen a good clean in quite a while, were poorly lit & looked ignored. They certainly were by the majority of folk wandering by. It would seem the small museums have more interest for our ilk.

[Ken Taylor]

I just skimmed through this most interesting thread and thought I'd like to contribute the History of Science Museum in Oxford. Although they are currently reconfiguring the exhibition space, they still have some of the Marconi Collection in the basement, including his 1896 receiver and Dame Nellie Melba's microphone on display.

Free guided tours on Thursdays and Saturdays, and you may get me as your tour guide. https://www.hsm.ox.ac.uk

[KeithsTV]

Originally Posted by Phil G4SPZ

A couple of really good museums that I don’t recall being mentioned - probably because they aren’t radio or electronics based - are the Avoncroft Museum of Buildings in Bromsgrove, which contains a large collection of historic telephone kiosks and working telephones, and Kidderminster Railway Museum, which amongst the railway artefacts houses a fully-working Strowger exchange and many working telephones that visitors can use.

We recently visited the Avoncroft museum and spent some time talking to one of the volunteers at the kiosk section. Found my 40 year old RAC key worked on the RAC and AA boxes.

Keith

[Sinewave]

Originally Posted by Ken Taylor

I just skimmed through this most interesting thread and thought I'd like to contribute the History of Science Museum in Oxford. Although they are currently reconfiguring the exhibition space, they still have some of the Marconi Collection in the basement, including his 1896 receiver and Dame Nellie Melba's microphone on display.

Free guided tours on Thursdays and Saturdays, and you may get me as your tour guide. https://www.hsm.ox.ac.uk

I'm going to have to have a visit there.

[Vintage_RC]

I used to pester my mum to take me to the Science Museum, I must have been 8 or 9 years old (a long time ago!) and remember the flashover well. It both excited and terrified me. I was also fascinated by an exhibit which was an automatic door which opened as you approached it. I don't think it would impress kids today.

[Radio Wrangler]

Originally Posted by Vintage_RC

I was also fascinated by an exhibit which was an automatic door which opened as you approached it. I don't think it would impress kids today.

Yep, I remember that one. I had an ORP12 LDR in a Triang-Lionel thing at home, but the science museum card called theirs a 'Magic Eye' which seemed a bit hocus pocus to even this young kid (about 7 then) Theirs might have been a photomultiplier, i suppose.

David

[Peter.N.]

My dad took me the the London science museum in the '40's when I were but a lad, the only thing that sticks in my mind was the long pendulum suspended from the roof, probably not there now. I do remember I found it very interesting though.

Many years later we went to Evoluon in Eindhoven, a couple of times, sadly its not there now but I think that was after the same style as the London science museum.

Peter

[Sinewave]

Whilst I was at the TNMOC today, I had a look in the computer musem, very interesting indeed, very fascinating.

[BrianAllen]

Good afternoon all,

Here is the link to the Philips Museum in Eindhoven; I was directed to the museum after contacting customer care, for product information on my N4308/55

This link may already be on here but if not, here it is.

https://www.philips.nl/en/a-w/philip...pid=2852164039

[Stuart R]

Should you find yourself in The Netherlands, make time to visit the Museum Speelklok in Utrecht.

No vintage electonics, but I hope a mention is allowed as the museum houses an interesting collection of clocks, music boxes, automata, self playing instruments, barrel, dance and fair organs. I know these things are of interest to some of our members.

There are guided tours where a selection of the instruments are demonstrated. I spent a good four hours there.

See some of the instruments in action here....

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis..._Ob2vsPZAdkNuT

(No connection with the museum or the Wintergatan band, but their Marble Machine video is worth a look too!)

SR

[JohnBG8JMB]

Originally Posted by Sinewave

Whilst I was at the TNMOC today, I had a look in the computer musem, very interesting indeed, very fascinating.

TNMOC

What and where, please?
John

[Station X]

https://lmgtfy.com/?q=TNMOC

[Phil G4SPZ]

The National Museum Of Computing: https://www.tnmoc.org/

[Sinewave]

Originally Posted by JohnBG8JMB

TNMOC

What and where, please?
John

Originally Posted by Phil G4SPZ

The National Museum Of Computing: https://www.tnmoc.org/

Sorry I should have been clearer. When I were at The National Museum Of Computing I was there for their table top sale initially, then went into the actual museum.

[John KC0G]

While it is a long way from the beaten path of most members here, the Collins Aerospace Museum in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, U.S.A. is well worth a visit. I went there recently and it has a fascinating collection of equipment going back to the early days of the Collins Radio Company in the early 1930's.

The website is at https://collinsaerospacemuseum.org/
I strongly suggest that people who are not Rockwell Collins employees register in advance.

One I came across this morning coming back from Farnham, popped in to a Co-Op for late breakfast and this was next door, small, full and if you are in the area worth a visit.