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September 1962 Radio-Electronics
 [Table of Contents]
Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics.
See articles from Radio-Electronics,
published 1930-1988. All copyrights hereby acknowledged.
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September 1962
was a big month for reporting on new developments in the electronics world.
The "News Briefs" column in Radio-Electronics announced the world's
first electron microscope capable of imaging individual atoms. It could not
resolve electrons or protons and neutrons in the nucleus, just the outline
of the entire atom. Those concentric rings around the central blob are not
electrons "orbiting" the nucleus, but are a diffraction effect. There is still
not an ability to
image a single
electron. A rule of thumb is that the wavelength of the imaging source
must be no more than λ/4 of the size of the object. The same applies
in the macro scale world of astronomy. Also mentioned is the requirement for
UHF channels to be included on new television sets. The law abused the
10th Amendment by applying it to interstate sales - typical of the Government.
Radar-controlled traffic lights, satellites, TV service man collecting for
exposure to chicken pox, and much more make this compelling reading.
New Briefs:
11/57 |
8/58 |
11/59 |
2/60 |
4/60 |
8/60 |
9/60 |
10/60 |
12/60 |
1/61 |
3/61 |
5/61 |
6/61 |
7/61 |
8/61 |
9/61 |
10/61 |
11/61 |
12/61 |
1/62 |
2/62 |
3/62 |
4/62 |
5/62 |
7/62 |
8/62 |
9/62 |
3/63 |
4/63 |
8/63 |
9/63 |
3/64 |
8/64 |
12/64 |
1/67 |
3/67 |
4/67 |
5/67 |
6/67 |
9/67 |
4/68 |
9/68 |
1/69 |
11/69
News Briefs
 Electron Microscope Sees Individual
Atoms
Magnification 5 to 10 times greater than that which can be obtained with
standard electron microscopes is obtained by the improved ion-emission microscope,
now in operation at Columbia University. Each spot in the photograph is the
image of one atom. The top of the emitter from which the ions are projected
is a fine tungsten wire. The center of the tip can be seen as the solid dark
spot surrounded by dark, concentric circles in the center of the photo. While
the emission microscope is not new (Radio-Electronics, September 1951, page-43),
this is the first one ever to be commercially produced.
UHF on All TV's Now Law
President Kennedy has signed into law a bill that requires all manufacturers
of television receivers to equip their sets with a uhf tuner. This will mean
that all TV sets will be capable of receiving the uhf channels 14 through
82 as well as the vhf 2 through 13.
The bill gives the FCC authority to require that all sets sold across state
lines be equipped for both vhf and uhf, and to set minimum performance specs
for the uhf tuners. The commission says it will allow a reasonable transition
period to give manufacturers time to get the necessary changes incorporated
into their forthcoming sets.
H-Bomb Communications Interruption Slight
Despite a lot of talk to the contrary, the miles-high megaton H-bomb blast
by the US in the skies over the Pacific blotted out radio reception for only
a period of minutes. Scientists feared a long disruption caused by the explosion
temporarily destroying the reflecting layer in the ionosphere that makes long
distance communications over the miles of the Pacific possible.
TV Repairman Collects for Unusual Job Hazard
Television repairman T. R. McDonald, of Sacramento, Calif., was awarded
$75 by the court for chicken pox picked up on the job. Repairman McDonald
had sued a Sacramento customer who refused to pay him a bill of $165 which
he claimed for medical expenses and lost time after he caught chicken pox
from the 4-year-old daughter of the customer.
 Autos Use Computers to Control Traffic
A new traffic control system being experimentally installed on Riverside
Drive in New York City will permit traffic to control its own pattern. Radar
antennas placed above the traffic lights will scan all approaching traffic.
Information thus received is fed to computers at Traffic Department headquarters.
These computers select the best possible combinations of signals - progressive
uptown, progressive downtown, short period on cross streets, etc. - then radio
signals to each traffic light to adjust the cycle accordingly. Not only will
the new traffic control system speed traffic, but it is believed that the
radio-control system is cheaper than the present interconnecting cable system.
Satellite Broadcasts Not for the Home
Space-satellite television broadcasts direct to the homes of peoples of
the world, are not practical at this time, FCC Commissioner Craven told University
of Washington's School of Communications.
"There are many problems to be solved," said Commissioner Craven, "before
such a space-satellite broadcast system can be established on a permanent
basis." Among the things the commissioner mentioned were the problems of language,
time differences, technical difficulties in lifting and maintaining the high-powered
transmitters required, economics, spectrum allocation standards and, most
important, cost. He also pointed out that important events which people all
over the world would wish to see do not occur too often. Space flights occur
only occasionally, the Olympic Games once every 4 years, and British coronations
even less frequently than that.
Russians Plan Sputnik TV Relay
On the heels of an actual operating Telstar satellite launched successfully
by the US, word comes from the Soviet Union of its intention to launch TV
relay satellites of its own in the near future. The Russians say the Sputniks
will be used instead of coaxial cable to link Moscow TV broadcasts with other
parts of the country.
Brief Briefs
Patent No. 3,033,714 has been issued to the Sony Corp.
for a semiconductor device called the "Esaki diode," or tunnel diode.
Transistorized Ignition will be optional on Ford Motor
Co.'s trucks in 1963, if present plans are carried out. The new system is
expected to increase spark plug life from 10,000 to 50,000 miles and point
life to 100,000 miles.
Posted August 19, 2024
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