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Author Topic: Electrical Monuments  (Read 26497 times)

Mike Sokol

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Re: Electrical Monuments
« Reply #10 on: January 06, 2014, 12:37:30 PM »

I learned, just last week, that there is a new statue of Nikola Tesla right here in my neighborhood. I don't know who put it up and, so far as I know, it has nothing to do with Tesla Motors, the electric car manufacturer.

A field trip with photo documentation, perhaps including a stop at a nearby bar, is in order.

--Frank

Excellent. Drink one for me while you're at it...

Frank DeWitt

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Re: Electrical Monuments
« Reply #11 on: January 06, 2014, 12:40:48 PM »

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John Roberts {JR}

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Re: Electrical Monuments
« Reply #12 on: January 06, 2014, 12:49:38 PM »

Menlo park gives us a hint about where you live...

JR
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Tim McCulloch

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Re: Electrical Monuments
« Reply #13 on: January 06, 2014, 12:52:59 PM »

there are many monuments to Edison (as there should be)  Here is one
http://www.menloparkmuseum.org/tower-restoration
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4136/4806258230_849b2297e6_z.jpg

The quote I remember from Edison is "Genius is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration."  The Oatmeal cartoon about Tesla v Edison is spot on when the author says "Edison was a CEO."  While Edison came up with ideas it was largely the perspiration of his hired staff that refined those ideas until Edison could determine the monetary worth/practicality of a concept.

If you're interested in some of Edison's legal maneuvering, the movie industry is a good place to start.  Edison formed a cabal (incorporated into a trust fund) of patent holders that in essence became the sole arbiter of what films would be made, the running times, and that no credits for actors be part of the film.  This led to the forming of independent studios and distributors that had to fight hundreds of lawsuits by the Edison trust, and the thugs hired to intimidate and vandalize any exhibitor that refused to allow Edison to dictate how their businesses were run... all hiding behind patent law.  Sound familiar?  The thugs aren't physical these days; they wear pin strip suits and put the word "Esquire" at the end of their names...
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John Roberts {JR}

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Re: Electrical Monuments
« Reply #14 on: January 06, 2014, 01:12:32 PM »

The quote I remember from Edison is "Genius is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration."  The Oatmeal cartoon about Tesla v Edison is spot on when the author says "Edison was a CEO."  While Edison came up with ideas it was largely the perspiration of his hired staff that refined those ideas until Edison could determine the monetary worth/practicality of a concept.

If you're interested in some of Edison's legal maneuvering, the movie industry is a good place to start.  Edison formed a cabal (incorporated into a trust fund) of patent holders that in essence became the sole arbiter of what films would be made, the running times, and that no credits for actors be part of the film.  This led to the forming of independent studios and distributors that had to fight hundreds of lawsuits by the Edison trust, and the thugs hired to intimidate and vandalize any exhibitor that refused to allow Edison to dictate how their businesses were run... all hiding behind patent law.  Sound familiar?  The thugs aren't physical these days; they wear pin strip suits and put the word "Esquire" at the end of their names...

I've known a few successful people and a common thread between them is an uncommon drive to succeed. Edison for all his warts managed to shepherd a lot of invention to market.

Nowadays we have patent trolls who prosper on the asymmetry between gaining rights to a patent and cost of defending against charges of infringement. A friend with a small business literally just a few days ago was put out of business by a cease and desist lawsuit claiming patent infringement (lacking merit IMO) that he couldn't afford to defend against the charges even though in the right. Justice isn't free or even cheap.   

Congress is reviewing ways to correct this or at least reduce abuse (business methods patents are the current hot area), but the reality is you can win a patent for low tens of thousands, and spend hundreds of K to millions in court defending against charges of infringement.

No obvious simple answers, and the lawyers** manage to get well paid coming and going.

JR

** Shakespeare had a prescient line in Henry VI regarding what to do with lawyers.
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Tim McCulloch

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Re: Electrical Monuments
« Reply #15 on: January 06, 2014, 01:58:00 PM »


** Shakespeare had a prescient line in Henry VI regarding what to do with lawyers.

Yes, and IIRC it was an answer on how to create anarchy...
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Lyle Williams

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Al Keltz

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Re: Electrical Monuments
« Reply #17 on: January 06, 2014, 02:48:30 PM »

Inside the lobby of the Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls Ontario . . the "Teslatron" fountain.
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Mike Sokol

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Re: Electrical Monuments
« Reply #18 on: January 06, 2014, 02:51:22 PM »

We have this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lightning_simulator_questacon02.jpg. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uF0TlYF9xzQ&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DuF0TlYF9xzQ about 5km from where I live.

In a completer swerve OT, I've been to Organ Stop Pizza in Tempe, AZ a few times. It's an incredible Wurlitzer organ with every time of drum, violin, xylophone, horn, and pipe organ noise maker you can imagine under direct control of the organist. And none of the sounds are generated electrically. Yup, it's all powered by air pressure. You can drink cheap beer and eat average pizza while you watch all mechanisms make music. And the best part is when the organ console rises out of the floor on a hydraulic platform and the organist is revealed wearing a gold sequined jacket. He's got a tip jar on the top of the organ, and will play whatever you like for a few bucks. I tipped him a 5-spot and asked for Chattanooga Choo Choo (one of his faves listed on the playlist). Yup, it's got a real train whistle.

Yeah, it's totally steampunk and anti-electrical, but it's a great mechanical show very close to Phoenix, AZ.

http://www.organstoppizza.com/

John Roberts {JR}

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Re: Electrical Monuments
« Reply #19 on: January 06, 2014, 02:55:26 PM »

Yes, and IIRC it was an answer on how to create anarchy...

I was trying to make a humorous and literate reference.

Draw whatever conclusions you will.


 JR
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Re: Electrical Monuments
« Reply #19 on: January 06, 2014, 02:55:26 PM »


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