Electronics-Themed Comics
May 1969 and April 1960 Electronics World

When I saw this first electronics-themed comic in the May 1959 issue of Electronics World magazine, my thought was how most people today probably cannot relate to the task of installing and adjusting a rooftop antenna for televisions. Ditto for FM antennas. Most people who still watch TV use cable, although some have satellite TV. Then I thought about how Ham radio operators are the last vestige of civilians who rely on antennas and over-the-air radio communications (other than the world's nearly 5 billion cellphone users who don't realize their phones are radios). Television antenna design and installation was never a high-tech sport for typical homeowners as it is for Amateurs; it was just a necessary nuisance. That one TV in the April 1960 comic looks like it could be my 1990s-era Packard Bell computer. I took the liberty of colorizing the comics.

It occurred to me than for a growing number of Hams (much to the chagrin of "real" Hams) the Internet (e.g., WinLink) is playing an important role in long distance message exchanges. Maybe the mode should be dubbed Cable Access Ham Radio (CAHR), akin to Community Access Cable Television (CATV, aka cable TV). I think I heard Hiram Percy Maxim rolling over in his grave as I finished typing that ;-)

Electronics-Themed Comics

May 1959 Electronics World Table of Contents  Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics. See articles from Electronics World, published May 1959 - December 1971. All copyrights hereby acknowledged.

"OK, Joe. That's perfect, tighten her up!"
May 1959 Electronics World (p110)

April 1960 Electronics World Table of Contents  Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics. See articles from Electronics World, published May 1959 - December 1971. All copyrights hereby acknowledged.

"I'd like to see something that requires smaller payments."
April 1960 Electronics World (p113) "