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Saturday, November 09, 2013

Unbreakable template


When looking at historical technology, I always use a template about prerequisites. I always assume that mechanical stuff was invented before electrical stuff, and more complex electrical stuff came after simpler electrical stuff.

This assumption is almost always wrong, but I never surrender it!

Nice example:

A military portable radio set from WW1. My template is puzzled! Why does the generator have a V-shaped padded thing between its parts? How does that fit on a car or truck?

Oh. It fits on a horse.