A blog about all kinds of vintage technology from simple mechanisms of the late 1800s through electronics and robotics of the 1980s. Many posts will be typecast and some will be off topic bits from everyday life. The blog will wander and meander with my quasi-evolving and ever changing interests.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Geek Pride Day!
Today is Geek Pride Day! It is also the 35th anniversary of Star Wars Episode IV. In some quarters it is Towel Day in celebration of the Hitchhiker's Guide. To celebrate, I have posted some photos of some of my favorite geeky things.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
DANGER! Work in Progress
Typed on Margo, the Royal Quiet de Luxe (and me with one gimpy finger. please forgive the typos) |
The 'brains' of this operation. Not a good sign. |
So there you have it. Should these pathetic misfits get it together, the Royal Arrow will roll on with the heart of champion, Richard Polt's flames and the brains of a Hot Wheels toy. The crew will have to take a break for an upcoming living room floor installation. More delays. Worse than the Big Dig, I tell you.
Claire F. has not yet forgiven me for starting this particular project. Ah, well.
This post was created several days ago and scheduled to go live later this evening. I had to throw in a little fresh custom Turbo Torpedo typewriter goodness from Richard Polt Turbo Torpedo: the nitty gritty I am in awe of the purple platen.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Rhinos Illustrated in "The Kingdom of Nature"
This is part 2 of the series on illustrations from "The Kingdom of Nature; An Illustrated Museum of the Animal World". Just click on the label at the end for the rest of the series.
This post is just for the members of the Typosphere. There is a special rhino obsession that accompanies an annual typing event, the NANOWRIMO (National Novel Writing Month). To see rhino mascots at their best, visit
http://danteswardrobe.blogspot.com/2012/04/wherein-rhinoceros-typed.html
Our guest typewriter for this post is mysterious as it has not yet been blogged. Some may recognize its unique typeface. We also have a guest writer: Hannah F. of thoughtsatfullspeed.blogspot.com.
This post is just for the members of the Typosphere. There is a special rhino obsession that accompanies an annual typing event, the NANOWRIMO (National Novel Writing Month). To see rhino mascots at their best, visit
http://danteswardrobe.blogspot.com/2012/04/wherein-rhinoceros-typed.html
Our guest typewriter for this post is mysterious as it has not yet been blogged. Some may recognize its unique typeface. We also have a guest writer: Hannah F. of thoughtsatfullspeed.blogspot.com.
Basic rhino anatomy. |
The horse just doesn't get that the rhino wants to play. Awww! |
When pressed, the mighty rhino will defend himself. |
But mostly, the rhino is a friend to all animals. |
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Like a Candle in the Windy City: Marilyn Hits the Road
WARNING: Tacky Camera Angles Ahead
Marilyn Monroe was loaded on two trailers said goodbye to Chicago on May 8th. These photos were taken on May 7th as she was being disassembled. |
But first, I need to provide a defense of tastelessness. I like to think of the camera as a neutral party. It will always seek drama and interesting light. A misty night in Chicago with the Wrigley Building bathed in floodlights provides more drama than a poor camera can tolerate. The view from the other direction was comparatively boring.
You were warned about the tacky/tasteless camera angles. Turn back before it is too late!
This statue represents a titillating and iconic scene from the 1955 movie The Seven Year Itch. Today we would find much worse on network TV. It's the scale and placement that draws attention.
As public art, it would be hard to argue that the entire installation wasn't a bit tasteless. It was kitchy and over-the-top and probably would look more at home in Vegas. Actually, Palm Springs is a sensible home. It is warm, optimistic and smells vaguely of Hollywood. According to local news reports, Marilyn Forever arrived in Palm Springs on May 14th.
I would not have guessed that Marilyn was assembled onsite. It makes sense. How could you get this under an overpass in one piece? Factoid: this sculpture weighed in at 34,000 pounds! |
And we have separation! |
The Marilyn Separation continues.
The Marilyn Separation also reminded me of another iconic Star Trek scene.
I didn't want to go too heavy on the photos or I would have added images of one of the crew climbing in and out of the lower section. Tasteless is one thing; tasteless and disturbing is quite another.
By now you might have surmised that more than one camera was involved. For walking around at night, I fit the Sony NEX 3 with an Olympus PEN F 38mm f1.8. I pressed the iPhone into service for wider angles.
Marilyn always did love the bright lights. Goodbye and enjoy your new desert home! |
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Im*PEN*ding Sense of Doom
This figure is done in an expressive and heroic Deco style, yet wears flares. Nice. |
Imagine hundreds, perhaps thousands, of pens and mechanical pencils in one place. Pen Place also stocks lots of ink and doesn't hesitate to spread small samples for the customers. |
Why, oh why did they have to tempt me with carbon fiber? |
Temptation, you are a cruel and horrible mistress. As it turns out, these tarts run in the $300-600 range. I guess I am not the only person with extreme tastes. |
The temporary display stand is an especially tasty subject for a future post. |
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
A Preview of Coming Attractions
So cryptic this photo is. Mmmm... Something to do with Richard Polt's flames it might have. You seek Godzilla. Yes. Godzilla - a powerful copy editor is he!
Mwa, ha, ha.
What could this mad Blogger be thinking? |
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Type Specimen Book - Western Typesetting
I love this cover graphic. As found on the shelf, the book has no words or graphics on the spine. It's just pure black. |
Gingercat and I stopped by our favorite used bookstore, Prosperos, and found this great Type Specimen Book. It was published by the Western Typesetting Company. There is no copyright or other date information and the price lists are missing from the inside cover sleeve. The one clue to the date is a 6 digit alphanumeric telephone number that would have been phased out in the 1950s.
The address is in what is now the Quality Hill neighborhood in downtown Kansas City. |
A Google search turns up nothing other than the apparent fact that I got a really good deal on this book. Any information about the book or the manufacturer would be appreciated.
I also own an American Type Founders specimen book from the 1940s. I actually prefer the layout and organization of the Western book.
The cowboy theme continues throughout the book. It's pretty fun! I've posted a few samples. The Script selection is amazing.
I want the Italic Swash type on a typewriter. |
One of gingercat's friends was very happy to receive s sample of this typeface. |
I am still a little obsessed with the blackletter fonts. |
I would be remiss in not showing the typewriter simulation samples from this book.
Thanks for reading. Until next time, yee, haw, pardner!
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