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2025 Reorganization of the Edison Tech Center

This year the Edison Tech Center is working on several projects including restoring 501(c)3 status and finding a new physical home in Schenectady. In the last few years Edison moved from an old building on Broadway in downtown Schenectady to a temporary location at the Gazette Building on Maxon Road. Artifacts were stored efficiently and visits were by appointment only. We hope to once again open up our incredible collection to the public in a new building. Our collection consists of all types of electrical and mechanical devices, often showing a gradual progression of technologies. To execute our vision we are using 2025 as a reorganization year where leadership will create a plan with priorities for the team to execute. 

The collection takes up several thousand square feet:

The digital education program online has never stopped operating and continues to reach many thousands of people each month. We have reorganized our digital media library so that we are set to make new video releases on a regular basis. Our unique media archives feature interviews with engineers who contributed to our technological world. Through oral history and edited documentaries this material reaches people who have an interest in tinkering, engineering and general history. We’d like to thank the “Hall of Electrical History” or GE Hall of History for working with us over the years on documentaries. 

ETC Program News, Uncategorized, Videos

New Videos For 2022

In the Fall of 2022 The Edison Tech Center based in Schenectady, New York continued its video production for the winter season.  The Edison celebrates its 15th year producing unique educational content on the history of technology from the people who built it.

Videos scheduled for release on our YouTube Channel include more from the Universe of Instrumentation series, some never before released lectures and an award winning historical documentary from the Wizards of Schenectady program.

Below is a list of what has been released, and planned releases in the next two months:

Discovery of the Solid State Laser: Lecture

From the archives, never before public video of one of the greatest innovators of General Electric in the post 1960 period, Robert N. Hall. “Bob” Hall as he was known around Schenectady was very articulate and creative, his talk at the Schenectady Public Library in 1990 is a real gem!  It covers his story of discovering the semiconductor laser while solid state technology was in its most exciting phase in its history.

Oscilloscope Cameras – Documenting Work:

How did engineers preserve test results for the future? During early physics and radio work engineers photographed the screen. Bill Kornrumpf, an electrical engineer describes how he and others used to document their EE work:

Oscilloscopes part III:

We plan on releasing our final video from the oscilloscope module soon. Part of the Universe of Instrumentation series – a series about the development of tools used by engineers. The overall evolution of technology in all of our lives is completely dependent on the quality of instrumentation, or ability to measure results.

Wizards of Schenectady: Guy Suits
Electric City Film Festival Winner

Leader of the GE Research Lab, physicist and manager Chauncy Guy Suits lead a successful life balancing work with hobbies such as seaplane flying, Adirondack 46er hiking, boomerang craft, expedition hunting and woodworking.  In an original Edison Tech Center documentary we interview important figures from General Electric who knew Dr. Suits. More on the Wizards of Schenectady Series >

Mystery Videos TBD:

We will release more lectures and interviews with engineers from interesting time periods to keep the flow of material going.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to stay current! >

Activities, Electronics

Edison Tech Center Pi Day Quiz 2020

1) Most light bulbs today are specified by lumen output. This is measured by placing the lightbulb in an integrating sphere which reflects all of the light output onto a sensor. However, in use, the user is sometimes only interested in the light output over a specific area, like a worktable. This is measured in lux, the intensity of light that hits an area. One lux is defined as the intensity of one lumen measured one meter away over one meter squared (m^2) area. Using Pi in the equation, what is the conversion equation between lumen and lux at a distance r from the lightbulb?

2) How many lux are there on a table one meter wide by one meter long which is illuminated by a 840 lumen lightbulb which is one meter away from the lightbulb?

3) How many lux are there on a table one meter wide by one meter long which is illuminated by a 840 lumen lightbulb which is 1.75 meters away from the lightbulb?

4) If a safety officer says that the illumination of a worktable must be 538 lux, but it is currently measured at 269 lux, how much closer does the lighting need to be to the worktable?

5) If the illumination of a worktable must be 538 lux, but it is currently measured at 54 lux, design a single lens system to increase the lighting to at least 538 lux.

6) If the illumination must be 538 lux, but it is currently 54 lux, and illumination is additive, how many more light bulbs would be needed to increase the lighting to at least 538 lux?

7) What eight year old computer system has sold over 30 million computers?

Electronics, ETC Program News, Videos

Universe of Instrumention Unit 2 Production Begins

February marked the start of video production for part two of the Universe of Instrumentation – a program highlighting tools (instruments) used by electrical engineers.

Better measurement technology leads to better technology in general:

The Edison Tech Center’s learning program entitled Universe of Instrumentation was first started in 2015 with help from the IEEE Circuits and Systems Society. The program allows young people to learn about how we measure electricity, time, light energy and other basics.  These basics are the building blocks of all technology as better ways of measuring things leads to better technology. The program audience consists of tech-minded young people and features interviews with engineers as well as talks on historical instruments.

In alignment with the Edison Tech Center’s overall goal, the program promotes an understanding of the full continuum of electrical technology from the 1840s to today.

1940s oscilloscopes, 1980s computers (Atari) and 2020 cutting edge are joined to show the progression of measurement technology, and in Unit II we are focusing on time measurement.

Corporate and Government participation:

We’d like to thank the following corporations for allowing us access to experts in various fields:

  • Ball Aerospace
  • Seagate Technologies
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology

Time measurement in Unit II

For computers, phones, GPS and other technology we need to establish standards of timing. Whether its measuring wavelengths of star light or having computers communicate precise time measurement is needed. So where is the “clock” in your electronics? We examine a cross-section of devices and talk about how crystals, optics, mechanical devices, and atomic clocks keep time.

In unit one we covered how electricity is measured, and in unit two you will see how time measurement was combined with electric meters to make AC power possible.

Reaching our audience:

The Universe of Instrumentation project has reached over 95,000 people since we released unit one, now we look to expand our videos and written web content in unit two.

Universe of Instrumentation Course >

Displays, Electronics, ETC Program News, Videos

The Edison Tech Center Has Moved

The Edison Tech Center has moved to the Gazette building in Schenectady from its former location on North Broadway (2001-2019).

Online reach has exceeded our walk-in visitors since the online programs began in 2007. Our niche audience of just a few million  are spread out across the US and globe, so when it came time to scale down and keep overhead lower we moved to a location that is better suited for long-term operation. The Edison Tech Center and its tens of thousands of technological artifacts are still in use for video productions and research projects.

Gathering together technology from our archives to shoot the new Universe of Instrumentation videos in 2020.

Digital Reach of the Edison Tech Center

The organization as of February 2020 has over 71,000 video subscribers and 13 million views in the online video distribution network. Our two websites reach tens of thousands of students and engineers each month through more than 200 pages on technology history. Our main website EdisonTechCenter.org is undergoing updates so some information on our organization may be out of date.  EdisonTC.org is our news and blog page as well as home of certain programs such as the Universe of Instrumentation.

233+ videos online:

https://www.youtube.com/user/EdisonTechCenter/videos

See our articles by subject below:

AC Power History articles – the surprising history of the electric power grid and its many innovators >
Electric Light History Pages – the 13 major categories of electric light >
Universe of Instrumentation Program – on instruments used by engineers >

Activities

Pi Day Quiz 2019

Edison Tech Center Pi Day Quiz 2019

This year the Edison Tech Center is working on a mapping machine to compete in DARPA’s Subterranean Challenge. This could be used for search and rescue missions, so this year the Pi Day Quiz is all about engineering for rescues.

1) A 100m long rope is wrapped around a perfectly round tree which is 2m away from a 90m deep hole.  Approximately how much rope is wrapped around the tree with a 1m diameter, if four wraps are used?

2) Will the rope from question 1 reach the bottom of the hole?

3) A rope is wrapped around a perfectly round tree. If the amount of friction which holds the rope is (Number of Wraps x (coefficient of friction of rope on tree) x circumference of tree) + (Number of Wraps-1)x(coefficient of friction of rope on rope) x circumference of tree)), what happens if we go from 3 wraps around the tree to 4?

In this example, use these values:
diameter of tree=20 units
coefficient of friction of rope on rope = 0.5
coefficient of friction of rope on tree = 0.3

 

4) A rope is wrapped around a perfectly round tree. What happens if we find a tree which has a diameter of 24 units instead of 12 units? Use the equation the amount of friction which holds the rope is (Number of Wraps)x(coefficient of friction of rope on tree) x circumference of tree) + (Number of Wraps-1)x(coefficient of friction of rope on rope) x circumference of tree)).

In this example, use these values:
Number of Wraps=3
coefficient of friction of rope on rope = 0.5
coefficient of friction of rope on tree = 0.3

5) Caver Static Rope is designed to minimize rope stretch. As a result, it is stronger when straight than when in a knot. Design a rope hauling system that only uses three knots.

6) Design a rope hauling system using gears to lift ten times the weight that can be lifted with no gears.

7) A rappel rack is a device which winds rope around metal cylinders, known as bars, to create friction to control the speed of rope moving through. Using the equation friction = (coefficient of friction of rope on bar)x(rope on bar contact area), how much more friction would there be if the diameter of the bars were doubled?

8) Design a hauling system which only uses rope, anchors, and pulleys to lift ten times the weight that can be lifted using only rope.

ETC Program News

Edwin D. Reilly at the Edison Tech Center

“Edwin D. Reilly”

Edwin D. Reilly, a long serving Board Member of the Edison Tech Center, passed away on August 1st at the age of 87. While growing up in Troy, he often visited the General Electric Plant in Schenectady where his father was employed. It provided him with the opportunity to meet many pioneering scientists and engineers.

Ed Reilly
“Ed” has been a long standing board member at the Edison Tech Center and also an important leader at the Schenectady County Historical Society.

Ed was the 1950 class valedictorian at Troy’s Catholic Central High School. He continued as an ROTC member and graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. After starting his career at the General Electric R&D Center, he was called to active duty. He spent two years in Washington with the National Security Agency. It introduced him with the potential for computers. He returned to Schenectady to pioneer computing for nine years at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, while completing a PhD at Rensselaer. He joined the University at Albany in 1965 to establish the Computer Center and Chair the Computer Science Department. He co-edited “The Encyclopedia of Computer Science” and wrote text books.

Upon graduation from RPI, Ed had wed Jean, his childhood sweet heart. They would raise six children. Meanwhile he was elected the Niskayuna Town Supervisor. He served from 1970 to 1979 and again from 1989 to 1997. He oversaw the design and construction of the Niskayuna Town Hall. It has been posthumously renamed in his honor.

Ed was a frequent contributor to the Schenectady Daily Gazette with topics ranging from history, politics, industry, sports and science. Along with serving on the Board of the Edison Tech Center, Ed was President of the Schenectady County Historical Society. He served as a Trustee of the Schenectady County Library and was a leader within his church.

Edwin D. Reilly was truly a remarkable person and citizen. He was admired and will be missed by many.

Back to the Edison Tech Center blog

Activities

2018 Edison Tech Center Pi Day Quiz

It’s time for the annual Edison Tech Center Pi Day Quiz. Submit your answers by private message on Facebook.

1) An electric quartz crystal clock circuit is
designed. Will the clock maintain the correct
time better if it is a 24 hour clock or a 12 hour
clock?

2) The water supply to the Edison Tech Center
starts as a three inch diameter pipe, which is
then connected to a two and one half inch
diameter pipe, which is then connected to a one
inch diameter pipe. Given a constant water
pressure outside the building and ignoring
water friction, what is the speed of the water
inside the different pipes?

3) The Edison Tech Center milling machine
surface can be moved by turning a four inch
diameter handle. One rotation of the handle
moves the machine surface 60/1000 of an inch.
Why?

4) An automobile tire decreases in diameter due
to friction on the road. What percentage
odometer error does a 2 mm decrease in
diameter cause on a 381 mm diameter tire?

5) Water friction decreases as pipe diameter
increases. How much water friction is there in
the one inch diameter pipe compared to the
three inch diameter water pipe?

6) An alcohol stove is made out of a cat food can
with a circumference of 20.32 cm. 5 mm holes
are made around the circumference of the can,
spaced 15 mm apart, center to center. How
many holes can be put in the can?

7) A shower has a constant water pressure
supplied. What is the difference in output for a
showerhead with 1 mm holes versus 2 mm
holes?

8) Let us model the Mohawk River as a pipe.
When ice builds up on the river, it decreases
the diameter of the pipe. If there is a constant
supply of water in the river, and the ice blocks
half of the diameter of the river, how much does
that change the flow of the river?

 

Videos

New ETC Videos in 2017

The Edison Tech Center has over 200 videos available free to students via YouTube. This year at the Edison Tech Center we have put out excerpts of larger videos on YouTube. Here are the new videos:

Frank Wicks talking about oil, batteries, renewables and electric cars. His discussion with Ernie Tetrault reflects many talking points of the time at around 2008. Some things have changed but many points remain the same.

 

 

Here is an interview with Harold Gauper talking about design of electronics at the beginning of the electronic age. They had to deal with radio interference for the first time.

 

Rudy Dehn talking about radar history from 1937 until 1955. He shows us the L128 klystron tube developed by General Electric:


 

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