Bill is cheerful about it, but you have to wonder whether he’s questioning his wisdom in building the audio amplifier described 75 years ago this month in the July 1941 issue of Popular Mechanics.

The simple device used a single 117N7GT, a rectifier and beam-power tube, and ran right off AC power. The article described four uses for the little amp. First, it could be used to provide loudspeaker volume from a crystal set or one-tube radio. It could even be used as a B-battery eliminator for a set (although the article cautioned that if used in this way, the radio could not be directly grounded). Third, it could be used as a phonograph amplifier with a crystal pickup.

The fourth proposed use is how Bill wound up using his. With a micropone, “it becomes a serviceable low power public address unit. The speaker unit may be connected to long cabled leads between counter room and kitchen in small cafes and sandwich shops, or (as Bill wound up doing) between the basement and other rooms in the home.”

Bill undoubtedly reasoned that this would be the most convenient use for his amplifier.  But perhaps he’s having second thoughts.  He’s in the basement trying to fix a fan when the summons comes over the horn:  “Hi!  Bill bring up the screwdriver.”

Bill seems like a cheerful sort, and it looks like fixing the fan will have to wait.  But as he brings up the screwdriver, I wonder whether he’s thinking that he should have made himself a phonograph.

Click Here For Today’s Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Cartoon