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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> The "Whattheheckizzit?" game
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12/24/2011 01:33:58 PM · #76
It seems, then, to be a device used to set-up a printing press (sorta like a "modern" linotype), but I'm not sure why it would need all the fonts on the disk itself along with what appears to be optical reader images. Certainly at some time, there was a need to eliminate human input into the font spacing process...
12/24/2011 01:46:09 PM · #77
Originally posted by C_Steve_G:

It seems, then, to be a device used to set-up a printing press (sorta like a "modern" linotype), but I'm not sure why it would need all the fonts on the disk itself along with what appears to be optical reader images. Certainly at some time, there was a need to eliminate human input into the font spacing process...


I'll accept that answer!
It is, in fact, a "type wheel" from a first-generation photo-typesetting machine, specifically a "Fototronic" manufactured by Harris Intertype Corp. in the 1960s. This machine *is* what killed the linotype. The disk rotated at about 2400 RPM. A flash (at first a spark, later a xenon flash) was directed through a single character on the disk by an optical system. The resulting image of the character was projected onto film stock. The optical system could be adjusted to image characters of almost any size.
The reason for all of the "data" inside the outer two rows was so the machine could sense the position of the rotating disk. The disk did not start and stop, but continuously rotated.
The machine was controlled by a Digital Equipment PDP8 computer. The program for the image for the pages of type to be produced was fed to the computer via paper tape. Punch cards, as I hinted earlier, would have been another option, but paper tape was what was actually used.
The imaged film was developed and then used to image press rolls.
The system was used by printers of books and magazines.
12/24/2011 01:51:28 PM · #78
Ooh, cool. Thanks for the explanation.

Someone else should submit the next whattheheckizzit. I gotta start Christmas shopping in a few minutes...

Happy holidaze, all!
12/24/2011 01:59:28 PM · #79
I'll put one up, give me a few...
12/24/2011 02:14:23 PM · #80
Originally posted by Bear_Music:

I'll put one up, give me a few...


Uh-oh... if there's anybody who can come up with some weirder stuff than I can, it's Robert!
12/24/2011 02:24:17 PM · #81
12/24/2011 01:51:28 PM ???

Staring on NEXT year?

Originally posted by C_Steve_G:

I gotta start Christmas shopping in a few minutes...

Happy holidaze, all!
12/24/2011 02:28:11 PM · #82
Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

I'll put one up, give me a few...


Uh-oh... if there's anybody who can come up with some weirder stuff than I can, it's Robert!


Actually, I expect this should be pretty easy: the last few have been really tough, and it's Christmas, so...



Have at it, kids!

R.
12/24/2011 02:31:34 PM · #83
WTF??
Looks like the end of a sensor or transducer of some type. I'm probably *way* off base, LOL.

12/24/2011 02:33:36 PM · #84
earpiece ?
12/24/2011 02:39:39 PM · #85
a lid or cap?
12/24/2011 02:43:44 PM · #86
the core of a flux capacitor?
12/24/2011 02:46:58 PM · #87
A glass insulator?
12/24/2011 02:51:14 PM · #88
I will require a fairly specific answer. Someone's getting close, though.

R.
12/24/2011 03:36:30 PM · #89
A toilet clapper valve???
12/24/2011 03:39:46 PM · #90
Nowhere near target, sorry, Brent.
12/24/2011 03:41:32 PM · #91
looks like a glass insulator for a telegraph wire
12/24/2011 03:44:09 PM · #92
Part of a hearing aid?
12/24/2011 03:46:51 PM · #93
If I'm not mistaken, it is small, maybe 5 to 7mm in diameter. What I'm wondering is if the blue material is part of its construction, or residue from use?
12/24/2011 03:50:24 PM · #94
:(
12/24/2011 03:52:06 PM · #95
Cowboy: way off base

Spiffer: way off base

Kirbic: it's 2 centimeters in diameter, more or less.
12/24/2011 03:53:05 PM · #96
We gotta go to the market.

HINT:

You probably ALL have this in your house, it's a movable component of a larger whole.
12/24/2011 03:56:29 PM · #97
Robert's being coy, but Kirbic, I can tell you yes, that blue is "residue from use". Let's see if any one gets it by the time we get home again.. :-)
12/24/2011 04:00:27 PM · #98
Cap on a tube of toothpaste.
12/24/2011 04:00:50 PM · #99
The lid on some sort of a squeeze container? Since it's blue... toothpaste maybe?

ETA: Damn you Steve!

Message edited by author 2011-12-24 16:01:07.
12/24/2011 04:11:49 PM · #100
part of a washing machine
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