November 1955 Popular Electronics Table of Contents Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics. See articles from Popular Electronics, published October 1954 - April 1985. All copyrights are hereby acknowledged.

In this episode of John T. Frye's Carl & Jerry technodrama™ series, titled "Lie Detector Tells All," Carl Bishop has designed a crude lie detector using a vacuum tube voltmeter (VTVM) to measure the change in resistance of the human body when situations of stress and/or duress cause perspiration, which affects the resistance to current flow. A VTVM was required because its high input impedance (a few megohms) was necessary to accurately measure body resistance. In contrast, a standard electromechanical meter movement (aka D'Arsonval) only provides a few ohm of resistance. When this appeared in a 1955 issue of Popular Science magazine, a VTVM was much more expensive than the D'Arsonval-based meter. Even a low-end modern multimeter uses a field effect transistor (FET) - of the junction (JFET) or metal oxide (MOSFET) type - with an input impedance in the tens to hundreds of ohms. The story takes a comical turn when Jerry's parents volunteer (reluctantly) to be test subjects for the invention. Interestingly, the Wikipedia entry for the polygraph refers to it as "junk science," while noting that many countries' law enforcement agencies use it to some degree. 

Carl & Jerry: Lie Detector Tells All

By John T Frye, W9EGV

Jerry, stretched out on the worn old - leather- covered couch in his basement laboratory, was jerked out of his pleasant reverie by the banging of the cellar door against the wall as his chum and neighbor, Carl Anderson, came striding in.

"Hey, Jer, how do you give artificial respiration to a night crawler?" Carl asked excitedly as he dangled a very limp worm, a full ten inches long, directly in front of Jerry's crossing eyes.

"Get that young snake out of my face," Jerry commanded as he struggled to a sitting position; "and what kind of a stupid question is that?"

"It's not stupid," Carl denied heatedly. "If we can just bring Old Droopy here and his buddies back to life, we're on our way to being millionaires!"

"Again?" Jerry said languidly as he smothered a yawn. "Let's hear your latest lid-flipper."

"On their drive last Sunday, my folks gathered up a couple of bushels of walnuts along the road," Carl explained. "I have to hull them by driving them through a knothole in a board. As you know, this is a messy business; so to avoid getting any more of the sticky, staining walnut hull juice on me than necessary, I decided to run water over the crate of nuts before starting. The water filtered down through them and spread over the ground. In nothing flat, worms started wriggling up out of the wet earth. Apparently that walnut hull juice gave them a real hotfoot, for they were in such a hurry to get away from it that they popped to the surface and practically stood on their tails.

"I grabbed them faster than a woman snatching up the contents of her spilled purse, but in just a few minutes they stopped wriggling. I washed them off in clear water and even tried brushing Droopy here with some of Mom's super-gentle soap powder, but he refuses to come around. I figure artificial respiration is the last hope; if you will just point out where his ribs are so I'll know where to put my thumbs, we'll get started. If we can revive him, we're in business. We can grind up the walnut hulls and sell a small vial of the powder for a dollar. The purchaser need only mix a few gallons of water with this powder and pour the solution on the ground. After a few minutes, he can pick up a couple of cans of fish worms and be on his way. Think of it: no strain, no pain, and no spading!"

"Well," Jerry commented, as he gingerly prodded with his forefinger the worm Carl had placed on the couch beside him, "all I can suggest is that you include a bottle of embalming fluid with every vial of that walnut hull powder. That's the only thing that will 'save' Droopy now. How come you're all at once money mad, anyway?"

"I've decided we need an oscilloscope for our laboratory," Carl announced importantly. "After boning up on this instrument, I'm convinced there are any number of interesting experiments and important tests that can be made with it. What's more, it would come in mighty handy for checking my transmitter, especially now that I'm starting to build a single-sideband suppressed-carrier job. We can buy a scope kit that will fill our needs nicely for around fifty dollars, but first we've got to latch on to the fifty."

"I commend your ambition, but I decry your methods," Jerry announced pompously. "You must learn to think electronically. If we need new electronic equipment, let's make the electronic equipment and know-how we already have pay for it."

"Such as how?" Carl demanded.

"It's all arranged," Jerry said, with elaborate casualness. "The Acme TV Service Shop is opening this weekend and holding open house on both Friday and Saturday. I talked the guy who owns it into a big deal of letting me set up a lie detector there in the store and give free lie-detector tests to anyone who wants to try it. He figures this will be just the unusual type of gimmick to draw a crowd; he'll pay me 25 bucks for giving tests Friday night and all day Saturday."

"Oh fine! Now all you gotta do is buy a lie detector!"

"No such thing. Back in May, 1955, Popular Electronics published an article on how to make a gadget to use with your v.t.v.m. to serve as a lie detector. This is a simple little gadget, and all the parts for it, except the tube and B battery, came out of our junk box. I 'borrowed' these other two items from Dad's portable radio that he won't be using - I hope - until next spring. Come on over to the bench, and I'll show you how it works.

Just then, however, Mr. and Mrs. Bishop, Jerry's parents, came in through the inside door leading to the basement storage room. Mrs. Bishop had a bushel basket, and Mr. Bishop carried a spading fork and had the unhappy look of a man reluctantly being prodded into digging up flower bulbs for winter storage.

"Well, well, what are our young inventors up to now?" he questioned, with the hysterical joviality of a man snatching at straws to put off the start of an unpleasant job.

"I was just going to show Carl how my new lie detector works," Jerry explained.

"Show me!" Mr. Bishop insisted. "I always did want to see if those things really could tell when an iron-nerved man like myself chose to toy with the truth."

"Well, all right," Jerry agreed. "Just slip these two metal thimbles with the wires attached over the middle fingers on each hand. They are the connecting electrodes that enable the instrument to measure any change in the resistance path between them. When you are emotionally disturbed, as you will be if you try to avoid the truth, the change in your body resistance will be indicated by the swing of this meter pointer on the vacuum-tube voltmeter."

With an amused smile, Mr. Bishop slipped the electrodes on his finger tips and watched his son balance the bridge circuit so that the meter pointer rested in the left -hand portion of the scale.

"What is your name?" Jerry asked.

"Milton Bishop."

"Where do you live?"

"1810 Spear Street."

"What do you work at?"

"I'm an architect."

Mrs. Bishop, who had been impatiently watching the quiet needle of the v.t.v.m., broke in with: "Let my try. You told me you couldn't come home for dinner last night because you had to work late at the office. Is that true?"

"Certainly," was Mr. Bishop's prompt reply as he turned to smile fondly at his wife. For a split second nothing happened, and then the meter started to climb. As it reached full-scale, Mr. Bishop turned harriedly from the accusing meter to the still more accusing eyes of his wife.

"I did work late, a whole half hour," he insisted; "then a bunch of us fellows went over to Vic Cline's to see his new twenty-five horsepower outboard motor. A little game started somehow ... and the time sort of got away from us .

As his voice trailed off in this weak explanation, he jerked off the thimbles as though they were red-hot and flung then down on the bench.

"Well, come on, Iron Nerves; let's make with the spading fork," Mrs. Bishop suggested with a mocking, victorious smile.

"Oh, no, you don't!" her husband exclaimed. "Let's see you try the lie detector, Mabel."

In spite of her protests, Mr. Bishop slipped the thimbles on her fingers and watched impatiently while Jerry rebalanced the bridge circuit.

"Your name, Madam?" Mr. Bishop snapped.

"Mabel Bishop."

"Your age?" "Thirty-seven -- no, I mean thirty-eight," Mrs. Bishop hurriedly amended, as the meter pointer began a threatening upward movement.

"Just a few minutes ago I noticed a long scratch on the right rear fender of the car. Would you know anything about that?"

"I was intending to mention that to you," Mrs. Bishop began calmly. "It must have happened in the supermarket parking lot. I didn't notice it until I came home... or at least I don't remember noticing it, or if I did I forgot about it... or maybe I do remember hearing a little noise as I was backing out of the garage...

She kept talking more and more frantically in her effort to stop the relentless march of the meter pointer up- scale, but it was no use. In spite of Jerry's repeated rebalancing of the bridge, the pointer kept crawling up.

"I thought so!" Mr. Bishop gloated. "For your information, that scratch is just level with the hasp on the door frame."

"Maybe we had better go and dig those bulbs now," Mrs. Bishop remarked quietly, as she removed the thimbles and placed them gently on the bench. Obediently, but with a smirk still on his face, Mr. Bishop followed her outside.

"Boy, that thing really works!" Carl said enthusiastically, as Jerry's parents closed the door behind them. "Yes," Jerry agreed, as he slipped on the thimbles and rebalanced the instrument; "it is an interesting little device. Of course a polygraph; as a laboratory-type lie detector is called, is quite a bit more complicated than this. It records the reaction of the person being examined to each question by means of scribing pens tracing on moving sheets of paper; and sometimes the pulse rate, respiration, and other factors are recorded as well as the skin resistance; but for our purposes -"

He turned around as he heard the outside door quietly open to admit his father.

"I'm supposed to be after another basket," Mr. Bishop announced in a hushed conspiratorial voice; "but I wanted to have a word with you two about that lie detector you've built up. A man isn't safe with a vacuum tube snitcher like that lying around. We men know that a little white lie is necessary now and then; so that thing has gotta go. What will you take to dismantle the gadget? Ten dollars?"

"Well, I don't know," Jerry said hesitantly. "After all, there is a considerable investment in parts -" Quickly, but unobtrusively, he wriggled his fingers out of the thimbles as the tell -tale meter pointer started upward.

"Okay, I'll make it fifteen dollars," Mr. Bishop said hurriedly, as he took out his wallet; "but remember this is just between us men. Not a word to your mother."

He got another basket, shot a baleful glance at the lie detector resting on the bench, and went outside again. He had barely closed the door behind him when Mrs. Bishop opened the other door.

"I was just looking for your father," she remarked casually, as she sat down on the couch from which Carl thoughtfully snatched the carcass of Old Droopy before she noticed it. "I believe I'll rest a bit, though, if you boys don't mind."

"Sure, Mom; glad to have you," Jerry said.

"You know," she commenced, in a very offhand manner, "I've been thinking about that amusing little toy you have built up; and I'm not at all sure you boys should be playing with such a thing. While we know it is just a plaything, an electronic tattletale like that could cause trouble. In fact, I'm afraid that it has already embarrassed your poor father; and we can't have that, now, can we? If you'll tear it up, I think I might be able to give you, say, ten dollars, to buy something really worth while for your laboratory."

"Gee, Mom, that's swell of you; and we'll certainly tear up the silly thing the first of next week," Jerry promised.

She reached into her apron pocket and handed over a ten dollar bill, then went out in search of Mr. Bishop.

"Why didn't you hold out for fifteen dollars, the way you did with your Dad?" Carl demanded.

"You don't haggle with ladies," Jerry explained chivalrously; "and anyway the twenty-five they gave us plus the twenty-five we'll get from Acme TV Service will just buy that new scope kit. There's no use in being a hog about things."

"Guess you're right," Carl agreed, "and I've got to take off my hat to you. When it comes to harvesting the old government lettuce, electronics has fish worms beat all to heck!"

Posted March 28, 2024

Carl & Jerry Episodes on RF Cafe Carl Anderson and Jerry Bishop were two teenage boys whose love of electronics, Ham radio, and all things technical afforded them ample opportunities to satisfy their own curiosities, assist law enforcement and neighbors with solving problems, and impressing – and sometimes toying with - friends based on their proclivity for serious undertakings as well as fun. Carl & Jerry, by John T. Frye Carl and Jerry Frye were fictional characters in a series of short stories that were published in Popular Electronics magazine from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. The stories were written by John T. Frye, who used the pseudonym "John T. Carroll," and they followed the adventures of two teenage boys, Carl Anderson and Jerry Bishop, who were interested in electronics and amateur radio. In each story, Carl and Jerry would encounter a problem or challenge related to electronics, and they would use their knowledge and ingenuity to solve it. The stories were notable for their accurate descriptions of electronic circuits and devices, and they were popular with both amateur radio enthusiasts and young people interested in science and technology. The Carl and Jerry stories were also notable for their emphasis on safety and responsible behavior when working with electronics. Each story included a cautionary note reminding readers to follow proper procedures and safety guidelines when handling electronic equipment. Although the Carl and Jerry stories were fictional, they were based on the experiences of the author and his own sons, who were also interested in electronics and amateur radio. The stories continue to be popular among amateur radio enthusiasts and electronics hobbyists, and they are considered an important part of the history of electronics and technology education. This content was generated by the ChatGPT artificial intelligence (AI) engine. Some review was performed to help detect and correct any inaccuracies; however, you are encouraged to verify the information yourself if it will be used for critical applications. In some cases, multiple solicitations to ChatGPT were used to assimilate final content. Images and external hyperlinks have also been added occasionally. Courts have ruled that AI-generated content is not subject to copyright restrictions, but since I modify them, everything here is protected by RF Cafe copyright. Your use of this data implies an agreement to hold totally harmless Kirt Blattenberger, RF Cafe, and any and all of its assigns. Thank you. Here are the major categories. Electronics & High Tech Companies | Electronics & Tech Publications | Electronics & Tech Pioneers | Electronics & Tech Principles | Tech Standards Groups & Industry Associations | Societal Influences on Technology
Lie Detector Tells All - November 1955 The Educated Nursing - April 1964 Going Up - March 1955 Electrical Shock - September 1955 A Low Blow - March 1961 The Black Beast - May 1960 Vox Electronik, September 1958 Pi in the Sky and Big Twist, February 1964 The Bell Bull Session, December 1961 Cow-Cow Boogie, August 1958 TV Picture, June 1955 Electronic Eraser, August 1962 Electronic Trap, March 1956 Geniuses at Work, June 1956 Eeeeelectricity!, November 1956 Anchors Aweigh, July 1956 Bosco Has His Day, August 1956 The Hand of Selene, November 1960 Feedback, May 1956 Abetting or Not?, October 1956 Electronic Beach Buggy, September 1956 Extra Sensory Perception, December 1956 Trapped in a Chimney, January 1956 Command Performance, November 1958 Treachery of Judas, July 1961 The Sucker, May 1963 Stereotaped New Year, January 1963 The Snow Machine, December 1960 Extracurricular Education, July 1963 Slow Motion for Quick Action, April 1963 Sonar Sleuthing, August 1963 TV Antennas, August 1955 Succoring a Soroban, March 1963 "All's Fair --", September 1963 Operation Worm Warming, May 1961	The Electronic Bloodhound - November 1964 Great Bank Robbery or "Heroes All" - October 1955 Operation Startled Starling - January 1955 A Light Subject - November 1954 Dog Teaches Boy - February 1959 Too Lucky - August 1961 Joking and Jeopardy - December 1963 Santa's Little Helpers - December 1955 Two Tough Customers - June 1960 Transistor Pocket Radio, TV Receivers and Yagi Antennas, May 1955 Tunnel Stomping, March 1962 The Blubber Banisher, July 1959 The Sparkling Light, May 1962 Pure Research Rewarded, June 1962 A Hot Idea, March 1960 The Hot Dog Case, December 1954 A New Company is Launched, October 1956 Under the Mistletoe, December 1958 Electronic Eraser, August 1962 "BBI", May 1959 Ultrasonic Sound Waves, July 1955 The River Sniffer, July 1962 Ham Radio, April 1955 El Torero Electronico, April 1960 Wired Wireless, January 1962 Electronic Shadow, September 1957 Elementary Induction, June 1963 He Went That-a-Way, March1959 Electronic Detective, February 1958 Aiding an Instinct, December 1962 Two Detectors, February 1955 Tussle with a Tachometer, July 1960 Therry and the Pirates, April 1961 The Crazy Clock Caper, October 1960
Carl & Jerry: Their Complete Adventures is now available. "From 1954 through 1964, Popular Electronics published 119 adventures of Carl Anderson and Jerry Bishop, two teen boys with a passion for electronics and a knack for getting into and out of trouble with haywire lash-ups built in Jerry's basement. Better still, the boys explained how it all worked, and in doing so, launched countless young people into careers in science and technology. Now, for the first time ever, the full run of Carl and Jerry yarns by John T. Frye are available again, in five authorized anthologies that include the full text and all illustrations."