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car radio development-no Lucas content

To: mgs@autox.team.net, mg-t@autox.team.net
Subject: car radio development-no Lucas content
From: Bob Howard <mgbob@juno.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 15:44:59 -0500
   Spring 2000 issue of Invention & Technology magazine has an article
about development of radios for cars.  It explains those components that
were placed all over pre-WWII MGs with radios. 
  The old is new again--as states are considering regulations on the use
of cel phones in cars In 1930 Massachusetts proposed a regulation to
prohibit drivers from playing radios while a car was in motion. A public
hearing was held 2/25/30. Argued was that with open cars still common,
radios distracted the drivers of other cars too.  The proposal expired.
  Article explains why A & B radio batteries came to be, and then how the
vibrator (developed by Bill Lear of the Learjet) was used to create the
high voltage necessary to power the vacuum tubes.  
  Why did radios come to be connected through the ignition?  One reason
is that youngsters would reach into a parked car, tune in, enjoy the
radio and drain the car's batteries.  
  Before "turret tops", all-steel tops that replaced the part steel part
canvas roofs, antennas were incorporated into the fabric.  The whip
antenna (how simple it is) was developed to solve the problem of the
turret top.  
  In 1937, pusbutton tuners were set on the steering column, not very
different in concept from today's controls on the steering wheel.
  Interesting article, well written by Michael Lamm. 
Bob

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