wtm@neoucom.UUCP (Bill Mayhew) (12/15/89)
I recall reading an apochryphal story in one of the AT&T publications a number of years ago. The legend goes that some Bell employee thought of stringing up annunciator lamps from a switchboard to supplant the use of real candles as decorations on xmas trees. Later, Lee DeForrset built his first few vacuum tubes from parts of xmas tree lamps which in turn were descendents of the old swithbaord lamps. Another AT&T first by proxy, or so the story goes. The DeForrest tubes were sold to the US Navy each individually placed in a wooden box for use as radio detectors. The Navy operators found that the tubes were more sensitive when the heater voltage was increased. Of course, the tubes didn't last very long, and the Navy scrapped DeForrest's tubes as an interesting curiousity but not useful. Another example of governmental efficiency. I also recall an interesting little thin paperback book, "The Birth and Babyhood of the Telephone", published by Bell Telephone in the 1960s which was a reflection on the early days by Mr. Watson. There were a number of good war stories from the early years. Bill
adams@swbatl.UUCP (4237) (12/16/89)
In article <1858@neoucom.UUCP> wtm@neoucom.UUCP (Bill Mayhew) writes: >I recall reading an apochryphal story in one of the AT&T >publications a number of years ago. The legend goes that some Bell >employee thought of stringing up annunciator lamps from a >switchboard to supplant the use of real candles as decorations on >xmas trees. Later, Lee DeForrset built his first few vacuum tubes >from parts of xmas tree lamps which in turn were descendents of the >old swithbaord lamps. Another AT&T first by proxy, or so the story >goes. Actually DeForest built vacuum tubes using electric light bulbs manufactured by the Mazda Lamp Co. Filament connections through the screw base, and grid out the top. These were round bulbs. Mazda's advertising, at least that I've seen or read of, doesn't mention Christmas tree lights. Automobile lamps were the high-tech frontier 1905-1910. Best books on the topic for those interested are probally: 70 years of radio tubes and valves : a guide for electronic engineers, historians, and collectors / by John W. Stokes. Vestal, N.Y. : Vestal Press, c1982. Saga of the vacuum tube / by Gerald F. J. Tyne ; edited by Diana D. Menkes ; editorial coordinator, Elliot N. Sivowitch. 1st ed. Indianapolis : H. W. Sams, c1977. While AT&T certainly bought into tubes very early, as did the Navy, they weren't first. I guess you'd have to give whatever company Tom Edison founded dibs on tubes (especially since Fleming worked for Edison at one point). I'd be interested in a reference to your source on the AT&T story if possible. -- uunet!swbatl!adams or adams@swbatl.swbt.com | Tom Adams: 314-235-7459 BOOKS WANTED: pre-1930 radio, electrical & scientific topics.