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September 1974 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.
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The claim of a "non-conducting
metal sheet" as a substrate for drawing electronic circuit traces seemed suspicious,
so I did a search for non-conducting or at least low conductivity metal, and there
is no such thing. The advertisement says components can be soldered directly to
the board without effecting a connection. Even
low conductivity metals to which solder will adhere are good enough
electrical conductors to prevent components from being attached on a common surface
without significant conduction (i.e., short circuits) between them. A pen with conductive
ink is used across the surface to create interconnecting paths. My guess, although
I could not locate any information on the company's substrate fabrication, is that
the board had an array of isolated copper pads that would be bridged by the conductive
pen. Metal Circuit Systems Corporation was incorporated in Texas in
February 1974, just a few months before this full-page advertisement appeared on
the inside back cover of Popular Electronics magazine. A product called
Circuit Scribe is a contemporary version of the system.
Metal Circuit Systems Corporation Advertisement
 Metal Circuit Systems Corporation
Presents an Electronic Breakthrough Convert Your Ideas to Reality in Minutes
Can Be Produced In Micrologic To 440 Volts High Amperage AC and DC Currents.
A trial package of 3 type MCS-102 boards (1-4"x6" and 2-3"x4") will be sent to
you for $9.97:
Experiment Now with This Great New Material
Our Houston based corporation, Metal Circuit Systems, has produced a revolutionary
non-conducting metal sheet for printed circuitry. To make a simple circuit or a
complex multi-layer breadboard you draw or scribe your design directly on the surface
of the material, type MCS-101, which instantly renders a working circuit. Because
only pressure is necessary there is substantial savings in time, materials, and
labor. For mass production, a punch press or letter press can be used. Without using
a new board, circuits can be erased for making new designs. A more economical version
type MCS-102 for direct wiring purposes rather than printed circuitry is available.
Since the metal sheet is non-conducting, components and wiring can be spot soldered
at random totally independent from adjacent areas of the board.
Metal Circuit Systems Corporation
P.O. Drawer 2226 Houston, Texas 77001
Gentlemen:
Enclosed is $ _______ for ______ trial packages of 3 type MCS-102 circuit board
material at $9.97 each. Also enclose an information booklet about the material and
ways to use it.
Name ___________________
Street __________________
City _______________ State _____ Zip ___________
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