Every audience loves an accordion solo, as judged by the applause from this audience at a talent show. But the May 1953 issue of Popular Mechanics stresses the need to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Therefore, the magazine showed how to make this electronic applause meter to register its impartial judgment as to the amount of applause, thus removing all questions of fairness and suggestions of favoritism. The simple three-tube circuit was just the ticket for amateur shows, parties, school affairs, contests, and similar group activities. It could also be used in noise studies in places such as factories or offices.

An 8 inch speaker was pressed into service as the microphone. The amplifier was such that the gain decreased with the increase in sound level, making the output approximately logarithmic, just like the human ear. The meter was in the plate circuit of the second stage of amplification.

Of course, as with most electronic devices, the prices are much lower today. If you need an applause meter for your next talent show, you can easily find one on Amazon. You have the choice of the inexpensive handheld model, or to make sure there’s no suggestion of favoritism, you can put up one of the large displays so that the audience can see for themselves:

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One hundred years ago, the status of radio on the farm was no longer a luxury, but a necessity. The May 1923 issue of Popular Mechanics carried this guide for farmers to acquire, install, and operate that necessary piece of equipment.

The magazine pointed out thaqt thousands of farm boys had built their own set, and a set with a range of up to 1000 miles was a feasible project, and plans had appeared in earlier issues of the magazine. The magazine pointed out, however, that many sets covered wavelengths of 150-400 meters (750 kHz to 2 MHz), but that official weather and market reports were carried on 485 meters (618 kHz). Therefore, if a homebuilt set were to be used, extra turns of the coil would be required. And the following stern advice was given if a set was to be purchased: “Never purchase a set on the assumption, or on the verbal assurance that it is suitable for receiving market reports; insist that the dealer demonstrate this capacity by actually ‘bringing in’ these reports.”

The article gave pointers on setting up the antenna and ground, and also reminded farmers of the importance of noting them down carefully so that the reports from various stations can be compared. In fact, “it will be found that it is very convenient to have a blackboard mounted on the wall near the set, so that the items and figures can be jotted down as they are received.”

War or no war, this family were wired, thanks to the audio amplifier shown in the May 1943 issue of Popular Mechanics. They were proud supporters of the USO, as shown by the sticker on thier car. And if you look carefully, you’ll see a star in the window, indicating that they have a son in the service.

The magazine acknowledged that the “breadboard” design was designed primarily as a classroom project, it would also serve useful purposes in schools, homes, and workshops. This housewife placed the amplifier on the kitchen counter, with wires running to various parts of the house to call the family back for lunch. This was accomplished with a single run of wire to the speakers, with the return taken care of with a good ground connection at both ends.

The amplifier could also be used for a phonograph or a one or two tube radio, putting out 1.5 watts of audio.

A hundred years ago today, May 1, 1923, many American newspapers carried a headline like this one from the Indianapolis Times, about the kidnapping of seven-year-old Verner Alexanderson of Schenectady, NY.  Verner was the son of radio engineer Ernst F.W. Alexanderson, who was then employed by General Electric.

Police had a good description of the kidnapper, thanks to Verner’s eleven-year-old sister Edith.  The kidnapper promised to give Verner a rabbit, and asked the sisters to go fetch a box for them while he took Verner to get the bunny.  Of course, it was all a ruse, and Verner was whisked away.

But this criminal was the first to learn that while you can outrun the police, you can’t outrun the radio.  Thanks to the father’s position, he was able to quickly broadcast a description of the suspect on WGY, and probably other stations.  Thousands, or perhaps millions, of listeners were on the lookout, and police received many leads.  He was rescued unharmed near Watertown, NY, a few days later.

Verner was, however, a strong negotiator.  His kidnappers had a dog, and before consenting to be released, Verner demanded that he be given the dog, which became his pet, presumably a better one than the promised rabbit.  The kidnappers were said to have escaped to Canada, although the woman with whom Verner was found was presumably involved, and was taken into custody.  The two kidnappers were ultimately apprehended and served prison sentences.  You can see a press photo of Verner, his new dog, and the woman in whose cabin he was found at this eBay listing.

The elder Alexanderson is most famous for the Alexanderson Alternator transmitter, the most famous of which is still intact and fired up once a year by SAQ in Grimeton, Sweden.

Verner went on to be issued a number of patents.  He died in 1999.

And if you’re wondering about the headline at the left, that is announcing the paper’s new beauty reporter.