[Boatanchors] Elmer

[David Stinson]

----- Original Message ----- 

> OK, so much for "Elmer;"
> let's see how much really old-timey radio you know:
> 
> If I say to you:  "Hoops!"  
> (clue:  a nick-name for a person),
> 
> Of whom and when am I speaking?
> 
> Gold star sticker and a cookie to the winner.....


DING DING DING!  We have a winner.
Richard Knoppow had the correct answer in 
Admiral Hooper; the man not-so-affectionately known 
as "Hoops," who tamed the sparky chaos of early Navy radio:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanford_Caldwell_Hooper

"In olden days- those were golden days-
Would you hold converse with your friend "YE"
at Washington, you let the fleet rave on 
and chatted gayly with him at the key,
not caring to disregard all scheme or plan,
You opened-up with "Here's a note, old man."
but wireless today runs on a different plan.

It's Hoops, old Hoop,
He changed those easy ways
order recinding order keeps us in a daze.
If you want to know what gink 
put social wireless on the blink,
It's Hooper, old Hooper, he's the goop...."

(more entertaining nautical verses follow, 
but I feel merciful today)

73 DE Dave AB5S