‘Personally, I like math,” says Joyce Weisbecker, “but I know many people who don’t. If you can count to one, however, you know enough math for this talk. And if you can follow the logic of switching between AND, OR, and NOT, you can start building your own computer.”##M:[more]##
Weisbecker will explain the theory and practice of digital computing to children of all ages during the David Sarnoff Library’s open house and radio repair clinic Saturday, January 28.
At the open house the Radio Club offers a free repair clinic for antique radios. Call 609-734-2636 with the brand and model number to make an appointment on the hour for one-on-one attention. Many vacuum-tube radios can be fixed in less than 60 minutes.
Close to 100 years ago, 15-year-old David Sarnoff began working as an office boy for the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of America. That same year, 1906, Lee De Forest invented the vacuum-tube amplifier. Alex Magoun, will give a talk on David Sarnoff and the Innovative Spirit at 1 p.m.
“David Sarnoff personifies the possibilities of the American Dream, from Hester Street to high technology,” says Magoun. “There are few more inspiring stories than that of an immigrant who takes advantage of our freedoms of opportunity and expression to improve himself and lead others in the creation of new technologies and industries that add to those freedoms.”
Kip Rosser plays and explains the theramin, the first electronic musical instrument in the library’s museum. “Everyone says the theremin is incredibly difficult to play,” says Rosser. “Well, so’s the violin. If you have an ear and you practice, you will improve.” Rosser plays a variety of jazz and pop from the last 60 years of the 20th century, and Dante Bucci will join him for some theremin duets from 10 a.m. to 1 and 2 to 4 p.m.
The library’s exhibits offer opportunities for families to compare a century of home consumer media from Graphonolas to Aeriolas to televisions to Ipods. “Every generation has its own way of entertaining and educating itself with sight and sound,” says Magoun. “Introducing your children to these earlier formats is a great way of connecting across generations.” The exhibits include a display on the 45rpm record and player, the first transistor radio and television, a working 1948 television with camera, and a 1981 RCA VideoDisc player connected to a rare working model of RCA’s first color set, built in 1954. Remotes are not included.
Open House, Sarnoff Auditorium, 201 Washington Road, 609-688-0773. www.davidsarnoff.com. Open house and repair clinic. $5 donation suggested. Saturday, January 28, 10 a.m.
