[GreenKeys] What is to become of NADCOMM?

[Don Robert House]

Right you are Doug,

My problem with having hundreds of people collecting is that there is 
really nowhere where budding engineers and young people interested in 
the history of data communications can go to see and learn.  All 
there is today is silicon chips, plastic cases CRTs, LCDs and 
electronic "magic"

Keep your fingers crossed for me will you?

Thanks and my God bless

Don





>At one time the Smithsonian had a rather nice telephone display in 
>the basement of the Science & Technology building.  They had a 
>working step-by-step switch encased in glass (or plexiglas) with two 
>wall phones that you could dial from one to the other and watch the 
>steppers work.  Near that was a section of a panel switch that had 
>the risers going up & down.  Also in the same area were some 
>examples of switchboards of various vintages.  All the telegraph 
>stuff was behind glass, though as I recall there was a tape playing 
>on a speaker of a sounder clattering away.  No teletypes that I can 
>recall, though.  There was a wirephoto machine, now that I think of 
>it.
>
>The last time I visited the Smithsonian was in 1986, so I am sure it 
>is quite different now.  After all, there was still a lot of 
>step-by-step gear still in actual service then, so they were 
>exhibiting current technology!  Today, there are many who haven't a 
>clue how to operate a rotary dial telephone.
>
>We hear the term "museum quality" a lot used to imply that an 
>antique piece is in pristine or otherwise original condition. 
>Actual experience, though, is something else entirely, like the 
>observation in a previous post this evening about the Model 28 with 
>the missing keys, on display.  Since I have gotten into collecting 
>telephone, telegraph and teletype equipment seriously, I have come 
>to find that museum quality -- in its true sense -- is something to 
>be avoided entirely!  Heck, I want my stuff to look good, work, and 
>be as original as possible.  There are many museums where none of 
>the above apply to the mechanical or technical items in their 
>collections.
>
>It's up to people like us to keep the old stuff alive & going and 
>only hope that when it comes time to distribute our stuff elsewhere 
>that it goes to another person or organization that can truly 
>appreciate it.
>
>73,
>
>Doug, KA2WFT
>Buffalo, NY
>
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-- 
--------------------------------------------------------
Don Robert House, N.S.E.
Curator, NADCOMM
North American Data Communications Museum
3841 Reche Road
Fallbrook, CA 92028-3810
760-723-9943 Office
760-723-9984 FAX
URL: http://www.nadcomm.org
e-mail: drhouse@abac.com