The integrated circuit pretty much killed TIMMs, though I think they'd *still* be a good idea for some jobs (Venus landers, for example).
The alternators bit is an oft overlooked bit of radio history. They'd have 100 or even thousand watt alternators running at say 600 kilocycles and they'd "key" that (now that's some switching gear *I* wouldn't want to deal with!)
With the advent of tubes, there were better ways to do it.
and yes, the radon bulbs existed. One of those ideas from the late 40s/early 50s that sounded good at the time but....
They weren't hugely bright to start with, but were ok for emergency lighting in a tunnel or something. and, of course they got dimmer as time went on (though radon has a decent half-life)
These days? I'd mix the phosphor with a strong alpha or beta emitter with a reasonable half life and embed it is something strong but transparent. But the NRC would have fits.
no subject
The integrated circuit pretty much killed TIMMs, though I think they'd *still* be a good idea for some jobs (Venus landers, for example).
The alternators bit is an oft overlooked bit of radio history. They'd have 100 or even thousand watt alternators running at say 600 kilocycles and they'd "key" that (now that's some switching gear *I* wouldn't want to deal with!)
With the advent of tubes, there were better ways to do it.
and yes, the radon bulbs existed. One of those ideas from the late 40s/early 50s that sounded good at the time but....
They weren't hugely bright to start with, but were ok for emergency lighting in a tunnel or something. and, of course they got dimmer as time went on (though radon has a decent half-life)
These days? I'd mix the phosphor with a strong alpha or beta emitter with a reasonable half life and embed it is something strong but transparent. But the NRC would have fits.