In the 1940’s and 1950’s, QST occasionally ran a feature called the “Quist Quiz.” This one appeared sixty years ago, in March 1956. It’s not quite as difficult as the last one we shared, and I promise you won’t need to use the quadratic equation to solve it.

The problem consists of two small metal boxes, shown here. The one on the left contains an AC line cord and two switches. The one on the right contains two small lamps. Running between them are two wires. (The accompanying text points out that there are no hidden conductors–only two conductors run between the boxes.)

When one switch is flipped, one lamp lights. When the other switch is flipped, the second lamp lights. When both switches are turned on, both lamps are illuminated. Can you figure out the circuits inside the two boxes? The answer will appear tomorrow.

According to QST, the two boxes were the creation of Dr. Earl Weston, W8BXO, who passed away in 2009 at the age of 97.

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