I once traded radios with Paul Drew who was enamored by a 2" Sony radio I had that was actually a key ring. We were both PD's at the time, I think Paul was in Detroit, I was in Boston. Paul in turn gave me a radio that you could pre-set stations on. It was a fair swap although I regretted giving away the smallest radio I had ever seen. Some 30+ years later, comes word of a radio so small that you can't even see it...
The "nanoradio" is one ten-thousandth the diameter of a human hair. Alex Zetti, physics professor at UC Berkeley and graduate student Kenneth Jensen will unveil their tiniest of tiny radios in the November 6th issue of the journal Nano Letters. When tested last year scientists at Berkeley heard their first FM broadcast featuring Derek & the Dominos' "Layla" and "Good Vibrations" by the Beach Boys transmitted from across a room. In a regular radio, an antenna captures radio waves from different stations. The nanoradio detects radio signals as it vibrates thousands to millions of times per second in tune with a radio wave. An electrode is used that influences the natural vibration frequency just as the tension on a guitar string fine tunes its pitch. An enclosed "nanotube" is turned into an amplifier and the amplified output is enough to drive a very sensitive earphone. Now, why didn't I think of that??? Long story short, you have a radio that could also lead to radio-controlled devices small enough to exist in a human's bloodstream...
I must say I'm disappointed - no, not by this incredible technological discovery but by the choice of music tested by the scientists at Berkeley - "Layla"?, "Good Vibrations"?, although vibrations are used to tune the frequency so I'll give them a pass on that but on something compared in size to one ten-thousandth the diameter of a human hair and not play "Hair"? C'mon guys, where's your creativity???
10 Timeline Memories:
- 1895] Patented: George B. Selden of Rochester (NY) receives the first U.S. patent for an automobile...
- 1935] Premiered on this date: The game of Monopoly is introduced by Parker Brothers and here's a video trip through the game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx1XMtdYp0I ...
- 1940] Election results: Franklin D. Roosevelt wins an unprecedented 3rd term but will be the last president to do so by a new law that limits presidents to two terms...1946] 29-year old Boston Democrat John F. Kennedy is elected to the U.S. House of Representatives...1968] Republican Richard M. Nixon wins the presidency over VP Hubert H. Humphrey and George Wallace...1996] Voters return Bill Clinton to the White House for a second term as Clinton beats Dole...
- 1960] "Happy Trails": Johnny Horton, 33, is killed in an auto accident in Texas...1989] Pianist Vladimir Horowitz dies of a heart attack at 86...
- 1981] Busted: Former Miami Dolphin running back Mercury Morris is sentenced to 20 years for drug trafficking and possession of cocaine...
- 1982] Put it in the books: The Nets put the Cleveland Cavaliers in the record books when they hand the Cavs their 24th consecutive loss, 99-91...
- 1990] Gunned down: Jewish Defense League Rabbi Meir Kahane, 58, is shot to death after a speech in Manhattan. His assassin, an Egyptian, is later sentenced to life in prison. Many believe Kahane was the first victim of Al Qaida. Here's the video coverage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kpCJjhvbOE ...
- 1994] The new champ is the old champ: George Foreman becomes boxing's oldest heavyweight champ at 45 by knocking out Michael Moorer in the 10th round. Here's the KO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0SONoA5L1g ...
- 1994] Former presidential announcement: Former President Ronald Reagan discloses he has Alzheimer's disease...
- 1998] Former presidential offspring: A study shows strong genetic evidence that Thomas Jefferson fathered at least one child by his slave, Sally Hemmings...
Commentary:
John Gorman and Bruce Morrow are busy promoting their new books recently published. Gorman's book is called "The Buzzard: Inside the Glory Days of WMMS and Cleveland Rock Radio -- a Memoir". It tells the story of the legendary WMMS, a.k.a. "The Buzzard" that developed a national presence in addition to dominating FM radio in Cleveland. I've read the beginning of the book and can't wait to finish it. It's an insightful book for any radio student as well as a reminiscent trip back to what makes a radio station tick for those of us who were there...The Cousin's book, "Doo Wop: The Music, the Times, the Era" is a look into the era of the street corner singers who defined Doo Wop but also gives you a capsule look at the styles and times that surrounded that era...The Patriots are writing not only a book but a volume of what great teams are made of, with their exciting come-from-behind win over the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts. Way to go Pats...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Johnny Damon (34), Tatum O'Neal (44), Bryan Adams (48), Bill Walton (55), Peter Noone (60) seen here introduced by Wolfman Jack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqfyz0r2tZw , Art Garfunkel (66), Elke Sommer (67) and Ike Turner (76). Here's Ike with Tina in happier times: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2cIksqW-Eg ...
Timeline Countdown: 18 days until Thanksgiving, 30 days until Hanukah, 48 days until winter and 50 days until Christmas...
