hank gerba
@hankg.bsky.social
phd from stanford in media theory. academic+industry researcher of digital technologies. ex robot operator. they/them. https://hankgerba.com
Just stumbled across this—a “stroboscopic Cupola,” which is sort of like a zootrope you sit inside of. The idea is that this dome with small slits would spin rapidly, and due persistence or vision, would provide a tank commander a 360 view while remaining protected.
December 5, 2024 at 1:59 AM
Just stumbled across this—a “stroboscopic Cupola,” which is sort of like a zootrope you sit inside of. The idea is that this dome with small slits would spin rapidly, and due persistence or vision, would provide a tank commander a 360 view while remaining protected.
Bell Labs Record, June 1926.
"The Manufacture of Vacuum Tubes" provides a surprisingly complete survey of the production steps behind these now seldom-seen devices, which enabled both telephony the earliest digital computers, among other uses. The "Tube Shop" was locate at 395 Hudson St.
"The Manufacture of Vacuum Tubes" provides a surprisingly complete survey of the production steps behind these now seldom-seen devices, which enabled both telephony the earliest digital computers, among other uses. The "Tube Shop" was locate at 395 Hudson St.
December 2, 2024 at 6:31 PM
Bell Labs Record, June 1926.
"The Manufacture of Vacuum Tubes" provides a surprisingly complete survey of the production steps behind these now seldom-seen devices, which enabled both telephony the earliest digital computers, among other uses. The "Tube Shop" was locate at 395 Hudson St.
"The Manufacture of Vacuum Tubes" provides a surprisingly complete survey of the production steps behind these now seldom-seen devices, which enabled both telephony the earliest digital computers, among other uses. The "Tube Shop" was locate at 395 Hudson St.
A funny detail about television transmission, which serves arguments about the television as a domestic technology, is the concept of a “front porch” and “back porch” in the NTSC standard for temporally syncing the rasterized image.
November 30, 2024 at 7:29 PM
A funny detail about television transmission, which serves arguments about the television as a domestic technology, is the concept of a “front porch” and “back porch” in the NTSC standard for temporally syncing the rasterized image.
Time to take out one of my favorite objects, a Lionel 2-4-2 249e. My grandfather bought it in the 30’s, so it’s nearly 100 years old.
It still works ! The coal car hides a (quite loud) whistle, the valve gear is amazing in motion, and it’s even got a little headlight.
It still works ! The coal car hides a (quite loud) whistle, the valve gear is amazing in motion, and it’s even got a little headlight.
November 30, 2024 at 6:19 PM
Time to take out one of my favorite objects, a Lionel 2-4-2 249e. My grandfather bought it in the 30’s, so it’s nearly 100 years old.
It still works ! The coal car hides a (quite loud) whistle, the valve gear is amazing in motion, and it’s even got a little headlight.
It still works ! The coal car hides a (quite loud) whistle, the valve gear is amazing in motion, and it’s even got a little headlight.
A little morning media archaeology—I was gifted a mint Canon AE-1, with all the original manuals and paperwork, and even a battery !
I suspect many have seen these photos of birds that demonstrate the effect of changing shutter speeds, they’re still commonly used in introductory photo classes.
I suspect many have seen these photos of birds that demonstrate the effect of changing shutter speeds, they’re still commonly used in introductory photo classes.
November 28, 2024 at 4:06 PM
A little morning media archaeology—I was gifted a mint Canon AE-1, with all the original manuals and paperwork, and even a battery !
I suspect many have seen these photos of birds that demonstrate the effect of changing shutter speeds, they’re still commonly used in introductory photo classes.
I suspect many have seen these photos of birds that demonstrate the effect of changing shutter speeds, they’re still commonly used in introductory photo classes.
this medieval bat is cinema.
November 26, 2024 at 9:42 PM
this medieval bat is cinema.
As an aside to my typical Bell Labs Record posting, it's fun to note that all these were obviously scanned at some point, and pretty much every image is affected by moiré.
It's always there !
It's always there !
November 26, 2024 at 9:25 PM
As an aside to my typical Bell Labs Record posting, it's fun to note that all these were obviously scanned at some point, and pretty much every image is affected by moiré.
It's always there !
It's always there !
Apparently I'm on a Starter Pack of Hanks ?
Incredible. No idea how to find it on here.
Incredible. No idea how to find it on here.
November 25, 2024 at 11:09 PM
Apparently I'm on a Starter Pack of Hanks ?
Incredible. No idea how to find it on here.
Incredible. No idea how to find it on here.
Bell Labs Record, May 1926.
"'There is so much noise I cannot tell what you are saying,' is a reply familiar to us all, both in telephone conversations and in direct speech," opens "Auditory Masking."
The article explains that low frequencies may mask higher ones due to harmonic overtones.
"'There is so much noise I cannot tell what you are saying,' is a reply familiar to us all, both in telephone conversations and in direct speech," opens "Auditory Masking."
The article explains that low frequencies may mask higher ones due to harmonic overtones.
November 25, 2024 at 4:53 PM
Bell Labs Record, May 1926.
"'There is so much noise I cannot tell what you are saying,' is a reply familiar to us all, both in telephone conversations and in direct speech," opens "Auditory Masking."
The article explains that low frequencies may mask higher ones due to harmonic overtones.
"'There is so much noise I cannot tell what you are saying,' is a reply familiar to us all, both in telephone conversations and in direct speech," opens "Auditory Masking."
The article explains that low frequencies may mask higher ones due to harmonic overtones.
If "feed a little bit of the output into the input" was the big idea of the negative feedback amplifier, it would be fun to find other devices which work according to a similar principle. Locomotives, for ex, incorporated a small bit of the piston movement back into the control timing of the valve.
November 24, 2024 at 4:50 PM
If "feed a little bit of the output into the input" was the big idea of the negative feedback amplifier, it would be fun to find other devices which work according to a similar principle. Locomotives, for ex, incorporated a small bit of the piston movement back into the control timing of the valve.
Bell Labs Record, March 1926.
This issue marks the "Semi-Centennial of the Telephone," and is accompanied by this great full-page graphic.
The supposed first words ever telephoned, from Dr. Bell to Dr. Watson one room away: "Mr. Watson come here I want you."
This issue marks the "Semi-Centennial of the Telephone," and is accompanied by this great full-page graphic.
The supposed first words ever telephoned, from Dr. Bell to Dr. Watson one room away: "Mr. Watson come here I want you."
November 24, 2024 at 4:29 PM
Bell Labs Record, March 1926.
This issue marks the "Semi-Centennial of the Telephone," and is accompanied by this great full-page graphic.
The supposed first words ever telephoned, from Dr. Bell to Dr. Watson one room away: "Mr. Watson come here I want you."
This issue marks the "Semi-Centennial of the Telephone," and is accompanied by this great full-page graphic.
The supposed first words ever telephoned, from Dr. Bell to Dr. Watson one room away: "Mr. Watson come here I want you."
Bell Labs Record, March 1926.
This is a curious issue, the first sentence of which reads "All of us, I suppose, can remember our earliest active interest in crystals," before going on to discuss their scientific utility.
A bit later, one finds the article "Why the Time-Clock Knobs Are Black?"
This is a curious issue, the first sentence of which reads "All of us, I suppose, can remember our earliest active interest in crystals," before going on to discuss their scientific utility.
A bit later, one finds the article "Why the Time-Clock Knobs Are Black?"
November 23, 2024 at 4:49 PM
Bell Labs Record, March 1926.
This is a curious issue, the first sentence of which reads "All of us, I suppose, can remember our earliest active interest in crystals," before going on to discuss their scientific utility.
A bit later, one finds the article "Why the Time-Clock Knobs Are Black?"
This is a curious issue, the first sentence of which reads "All of us, I suppose, can remember our earliest active interest in crystals," before going on to discuss their scientific utility.
A bit later, one finds the article "Why the Time-Clock Knobs Are Black?"
Bell Labs Record, February 1926.
"The Microscope as an Industrial Tool," bears a striking resemblance to Robert Hooke's 1665 "Micrographia," the first work to include illustrations based on microscopic observation, and the first major publication of the Royal Society.
"The Microscope as an Industrial Tool," bears a striking resemblance to Robert Hooke's 1665 "Micrographia," the first work to include illustrations based on microscopic observation, and the first major publication of the Royal Society.
November 22, 2024 at 5:17 PM
Bell Labs Record, February 1926.
"The Microscope as an Industrial Tool," bears a striking resemblance to Robert Hooke's 1665 "Micrographia," the first work to include illustrations based on microscopic observation, and the first major publication of the Royal Society.
"The Microscope as an Industrial Tool," bears a striking resemblance to Robert Hooke's 1665 "Micrographia," the first work to include illustrations based on microscopic observation, and the first major publication of the Royal Society.
Bell Labs Record, January 1926
"Electro-Mechanical Sound Recording," a fascinating article comparing the "old" acoustic recording method vs. a "new" telephony-based system.
"In the picture showing the new method, the musicians are sitting at ease more nearly in their usual arrangements...(Cont.)
"Electro-Mechanical Sound Recording," a fascinating article comparing the "old" acoustic recording method vs. a "new" telephony-based system.
"In the picture showing the new method, the musicians are sitting at ease more nearly in their usual arrangements...(Cont.)
November 21, 2024 at 4:06 PM
Bell Labs Record, January 1926
"Electro-Mechanical Sound Recording," a fascinating article comparing the "old" acoustic recording method vs. a "new" telephony-based system.
"In the picture showing the new method, the musicians are sitting at ease more nearly in their usual arrangements...(Cont.)
"Electro-Mechanical Sound Recording," a fascinating article comparing the "old" acoustic recording method vs. a "new" telephony-based system.
"In the picture showing the new method, the musicians are sitting at ease more nearly in their usual arrangements...(Cont.)
The December, 1925 edition of the Bell Laboratories Record features their internal museum. Among other things, the museum seems to have included the original "long distance telephone" used by Dr. Bell to make the first call between Chicago and New York. I wonder where it all is now ?
November 20, 2024 at 3:58 PM
The December, 1925 edition of the Bell Laboratories Record features their internal museum. Among other things, the museum seems to have included the original "long distance telephone" used by Dr. Bell to make the first call between Chicago and New York. I wonder where it all is now ?
Here's M101, the Pinwheel Galaxy.
Also from my backyard in LA : )
Also from my backyard in LA : )
November 19, 2024 at 3:11 PM
Here's M101, the Pinwheel Galaxy.
Also from my backyard in LA : )
Also from my backyard in LA : )
Here’s the Andromeda Galaxy as captured from my backyard in LA, one of the literal worst places in the world for light pollution.
November 19, 2024 at 1:17 AM
Here’s the Andromeda Galaxy as captured from my backyard in LA, one of the literal worst places in the world for light pollution.
Bell Labs Record, November 1925.
"Keeping Time at West Street" profiles Roy N. Carr, who kept after all the clocks across the many labs.
"In spite of earthquakes and other troubles, however, there is one advantage (or is it a disadvantage?) to Mr. Carr's job; he has plenty of time on his hands"
"Keeping Time at West Street" profiles Roy N. Carr, who kept after all the clocks across the many labs.
"In spite of earthquakes and other troubles, however, there is one advantage (or is it a disadvantage?) to Mr. Carr's job; he has plenty of time on his hands"
November 18, 2024 at 5:18 PM
Bell Labs Record, November 1925.
"Keeping Time at West Street" profiles Roy N. Carr, who kept after all the clocks across the many labs.
"In spite of earthquakes and other troubles, however, there is one advantage (or is it a disadvantage?) to Mr. Carr's job; he has plenty of time on his hands"
"Keeping Time at West Street" profiles Roy N. Carr, who kept after all the clocks across the many labs.
"In spite of earthquakes and other troubles, however, there is one advantage (or is it a disadvantage?) to Mr. Carr's job; he has plenty of time on his hands"
Bell Labs Record, October 1925.
"The Spinal Cord of a Nation," focuses on the "striking analogy" between telephone cabling and spinal tissue.
"Each community handles its own business through its local office, just as the ganglia take care of "messages" originating in certain parts of the body."
"The Spinal Cord of a Nation," focuses on the "striking analogy" between telephone cabling and spinal tissue.
"Each community handles its own business through its local office, just as the ganglia take care of "messages" originating in certain parts of the body."
November 17, 2024 at 7:40 PM
Bell Labs Record, October 1925.
"The Spinal Cord of a Nation," focuses on the "striking analogy" between telephone cabling and spinal tissue.
"Each community handles its own business through its local office, just as the ganglia take care of "messages" originating in certain parts of the body."
"The Spinal Cord of a Nation," focuses on the "striking analogy" between telephone cabling and spinal tissue.
"Each community handles its own business through its local office, just as the ganglia take care of "messages" originating in certain parts of the body."
Bell Laboratories Record, September 1925.
The "Millionaire Calculating Machine" had arrived in the Mathematical Research Department, a mechanical device which performed multiplication directly. Thorton C. Fry said that it "knows the multiplication table, and saves itself a lot of work."
The "Millionaire Calculating Machine" had arrived in the Mathematical Research Department, a mechanical device which performed multiplication directly. Thorton C. Fry said that it "knows the multiplication table, and saves itself a lot of work."
November 16, 2024 at 11:36 PM
Bell Laboratories Record, September 1925.
The "Millionaire Calculating Machine" had arrived in the Mathematical Research Department, a mechanical device which performed multiplication directly. Thorton C. Fry said that it "knows the multiplication table, and saves itself a lot of work."
The "Millionaire Calculating Machine" had arrived in the Mathematical Research Department, a mechanical device which performed multiplication directly. Thorton C. Fry said that it "knows the multiplication table, and saves itself a lot of work."
"Telephone Sets for Noisy Locations," Bell Laboratories Record, April 1944.
Call this a pre-history of active noise cancellation, where what is called "leakage-path noise" between the receiver and listener can only be ameliorated by "holding the receiver tightly to the ear."
Call this a pre-history of active noise cancellation, where what is called "leakage-path noise" between the receiver and listener can only be ameliorated by "holding the receiver tightly to the ear."
November 15, 2024 at 6:16 PM
"Telephone Sets for Noisy Locations," Bell Laboratories Record, April 1944.
Call this a pre-history of active noise cancellation, where what is called "leakage-path noise" between the receiver and listener can only be ameliorated by "holding the receiver tightly to the ear."
Call this a pre-history of active noise cancellation, where what is called "leakage-path noise" between the receiver and listener can only be ameliorated by "holding the receiver tightly to the ear."
I was just digging through a Bell Labs archive for fun, and re-found this amazing cover to their 50 year review.
I’ll post some more from their internal publication, the entirety of which I read while procrastinating on dissertation writing 🙂↕️
I’ll post some more from their internal publication, the entirety of which I read while procrastinating on dissertation writing 🙂↕️
November 14, 2024 at 6:20 PM
I was just digging through a Bell Labs archive for fun, and re-found this amazing cover to their 50 year review.
I’ll post some more from their internal publication, the entirety of which I read while procrastinating on dissertation writing 🙂↕️
I’ll post some more from their internal publication, the entirety of which I read while procrastinating on dissertation writing 🙂↕️
pressing f to pay respects to all the starter-pack creators…heroes
November 12, 2024 at 6:26 PM
pressing f to pay respects to all the starter-pack creators…heroes