[Boatanchors] Re Galena Vs Germanium

Sun, 14 Dec 2003 15:43:19 -0600

On the farm in Iowa, my Pa made his own xtals by melting fishing sinkers and
sprinkling flowers of sulfur in the molten lead.  This was in about 1931
when he was about 13.  Only station ever heard was WHO in Des Moines, put
extremely loud.  Tower was about 25 miles away.

Family of 9, with one on the way at that point, due in October.  Friday
nights they took turns listening to "The Barn Dance Frolic" --high point of
the week.  Had lost their farm and were all living in an unused corn-crib in
exchange for working in the fields for the farmer.  He was able to give them
food, too, but not on a regular basis, as he was in bad shape, financially.

Finally got electricity in 1940 after marrying Ma and moving to town
(Newton).  Went to work for Maytag in the lab and got a Stewart-Warner
console.  That must have been living!.  Their favorite show was "Inner
Sanctum".  Had a new Oldsmobile, too, but Ma made him quit crossing the
picket lines after people started shooting and beating and stuff.  He was
always carrying his own little H&A .32 but Ma just figured he'd get into
trouble. So she hounded him until he finally stayed home for the duration.
So the Olds got reposessed (they were out 3 months).

Jeez, talk about digressing...sorry!
Tom
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
Cc: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2003 3:16 PM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Re Galena Vs Germanium

> I remember buying galena "crystals" from a radio supply house in the late
> thirties or early forties for crystal sets.  A little piece was set in
what
> looked like a round piece of solder.  The "cat's whisker" was at the end
of a small
> lever with a ball swivel joint in the middle.  The whole thing was mounted
on
> a base with wire clips.  You can still buy the assembly from antique radio
> stores.
>
> Ole Harv