Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering
Like a lamb came the Messiah Christ the King
But He chose to walk that road out of His love for you and me
Down the Via Dolorosa all the way to Calvary.

A hundred years ago this month, the February 1919 issue of Popular Science showed this simple device for skimming milk. It consisted of a glass tube and a rubber lid for the milk bottle. While the principle was not explained, it appears that the tube rests in the top layer of cream. When pressure is applied, the cream is dispensed through the tube.

For those too young to understand the concept, milk straight from the cow is not homogenized.  This means that if the bottle is left to stand, the cream will rise to the top, and the skim milk will settle to the bottom.  This device allows you to “skim” the cream, hence the name of the liquid left over.

One hundred ten years ago, this electric automobile was taking a charge in an uncluttered garage.  The charger employed a mercury arc rectifier, the operation of which was described in the accompanying article in the February 1909 issue of Popular Electricity.

Seventy years ago, prospecting for uranium was seen as a good way to get rich, and the February 1949 issue of Popular Mechanics showed how to do it. The issue included an article with pointers for the beginner, and also featured a construction article about how to build a Geiger counter. The electrical circuit was simplicity itself, and the unit was built into a metal lunch box.

The only caution involved the 900 volt power supply, supplied by three 300 volt dry cells. The article did caution not to touch the terminals.

110 years ago this month, parents dealing with perverse or obstinate children might have received some inspiration from this item appearing in the January 1909 issue of Popular Electricity. While details such a voltage are omitted, noted child expert Dr. Elbert Landone suggests zapping the children with a mild electrical shock to bring them in line.

We frequently publish details of slightly dangerous but interesting demonstrations, along with an admonition to be careful. We encourage kids to carefully have fun with high voltages, dangerous chemicals, etc., and we are confident that they will act responsibly and safely.  But in this case, we take the unusual step of saying, in no uncertain terms:  Don’t do this.

A lot of things could go wrong.  There could be a kink in the tube, or the end could get blocked while your hapless assistant is down there for “several hours.”  And there is no description of how the assistant is supposed to get the hose out of the dirt and remove the cork, since it was cleverly concealed behind a little bit of dirt.

In addition, even if the poor guy can breathe, he’ll probably be crushed by the dirt you’re tossing on him.  In other words, the poor guy will die.  Don’t do it.

The illustration appeared ninety years ago this month in Science & Invention, January 1929.

We previously showed a 1947 radio built into a toy telephone.  The December 1958 issue of Electronics Illustrated improved upon the concept by turning the radio into a two-transistor model, complete with a tuning knob attached to the dial.  The radio switched itself on and off automatically thanks to a mercury switch installed in the receiver.

The two-transistor circuit “reflexed” one of the transistors by using it as both an RF and AF amplifier, allowing Junior to pull in all of the local stations with good volume.  And perhaps, if conditions were good, he might pull in an out-of-town station, or perhaps his deceased grandmother, as shown in the 1961 Twilight Zone episode shown here.

Caruso performs Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night):

Junior will be the envy of his friends if you build him his very own chariot, as shown here in the November 1938 issue of Popular Mechanics.

The design is simplicity itself.  You just need an old set of wheels and axle, and attach them to the bottom.  A 2×4 and a couple of pieces of pipe serve as a towbar, allowing two of Junior’s lucky friends to pull him around the yard.  The reins are a nice touch, and I’m sure the friends appreciate them.