![]() ![]() It seemed that no matter what I did, things were connecting to things they shouldn’t… I tried enamel-insulated bellwire originally, but it proved to be extremely problematic. The six wires leading to the buttons and scroll wheel are thin, rubber-insulated copper wire (from an IDE cable) housed within tiny brass tubing. Wires connecting the buttons, scroll-whee, and USB cable to the board go under the cylinder (which has a large notch cut out of it) and around the gear post. The PCB is uniformly painted a gun-metal gray to make the visible parts look a bit less “circuity”. It may be noted that I replaced the red LED with an orange one which makes it match the computer better, but does not effect performance. A random cog fills in the gap in back, and allows some of the mouse’s LED light to glow through. The circuit board (and presumably the human eye!) are hidden under this brass-plated-steel corner piece from a steamer trunk. The knobs and key all rotate, but do nothing beyond that. The cylinder in the middle is a chunk of solid brass scrounged from one of my university’s many scrap bins. The two large gears that make up the base were harvested from the Sargent Recording pH Stat. ![]() Other than that, it’s pretty much as it looks: a big jumble of bits and bobs from my parts bin. The “Bug” is based around this nameless laptop mouse (mine was procured for much less money, mind you). One can only imagine what a man with such a mastery of the sciences is capable of… One can only speculate that this “bio-galvanic” device is used to “see” the Bug’s movement. A troubling tangle of wires extend from the organ’s nerve bundle and out through the vessel’s corked seal. It appears to be a human eye-ball suspended in a glass chamber. The following most ghastly object was, however, seen in the Professor’s laboratory in close proximity to the Bug. It was observed to emanate a fiery orange glow, though how or why is unknown. Instead, there was only what appeared to be a small glass lens located directly under the domed portion of the device. Upon stealing a look at the underside of the Bug, this author saw not the wheels one expected, nor in fact any visible moving parts. Far more mysterious, however, is the way in which the contraption measures its movement. Like the Bug’s internal workings, it is unknown whether this operates on galvanic or hydraulic principles. Presumably, the actions taken with the device are transmitted through this cable. ![]() The device connects to the Telecalculograph by means of a cloth hose which extends outward from its front. This cylinder also has two knobs, presumably for fine adjustment. Power seems to come from the large drum in the center, as there is a key extending from the side–similar to a small clock–suggesting that it is based upon the principles of clockwork. This leads one to believe that they are likely either hydraulic or electrical in nature. It appears that they are simple mechanical linkages, however they remain perfectly stationary even when the controls are manipulated. One can clearly see that there are small tubes running from the wheel and levers to the cylinder in the middle. How the device works is shrouded in mystery, however some speculation can be made. ![]() Turning the wheel in the center produces an action similar to turning a page in a book, or cranking a kinetoscope. When the arrow has been positioned appropriately so that it is pointing at the desired “item” on the glass, the user pushes down upon the various levers to elicit his desired effect. Push the device away from one’s self, and the arrow “moves” towards the top of the viewing window. The “Bug”, as the Professor calls it, is slid about upon a table top–thusly controlling a mobile indicator upon the Telecalculograph’s display. The thumb and small-finger rest comfortably on the side of the cylinder, helping to grip the contraption. The middle digit is placed upon the spiked cog, while the pointing-finger and the ring-bearing finger sit on the studded levers on either side. The palm rests upon the “ball” in the foreground, with the fingers extending forward. One holds the device in a manner similar to the way a wood-worker holds a sanding block. These images, as well as speculation upon their contents follows: Ravenscroft remains stingy on details of his “ Telecalculograph“, he has recently allowed photography of the device with which its user controls it. Though the eccentric Professor William C. The Telecalculograph finally has a suitable mouse! ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |