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More on Baird with rare early photos
PeterSwinson, February 4, 2004 UK
More John Logie Baird associated images.
Spotlight Projector
Spotlight Projector 1935. An earlier version of Baird's "Room covered Flying Spot system" The one currently on the TIG is a later 1937 version.
Farnsworth Camera
Farnsworth Camera on Dolly with Camera Control unit in background.
Baird's Photomultiplier
Baird 9 Stage Photomultiplier. Could this be one of the devices behind the mesh in the Spotlight Room image supplied earlier?
A recent TV program here in the UK explained how Baird's team developed the sensitivity of these devices. Apparently prior to WWII Germany was keen to develop TV however in several respects they lacked knowledge and sent one of their top scientists to "sniff out" what Baird was doing. However Baird's team were well aware of the reasons for the visit. To try and persuade Baird's team to pass over useful information the German Scientist told the team about German research into materials that were particularly sensitive to producing electrons from light. Despite his efforts the scientist never got any new information from the Baird team and went home empty handed. However unbeknown to him Baird's biggest problem had been photomultiplier sensitivity, and the German Scientist had answered their prayers. Maybe this image is of one of those more sensitive photomultipliers.
The Control Room at Crystal Palace
Control Room Crystal Palace circa 1937. Now is that an early Pixi, Pogle or da Vinci 2K in the foreground. I love the bakerlite talk back phones. Not a DIGIT in sight. All analog twisted pairs. Annotation
The sad image. Crystal Palace the morning after the fire. This became the end of an era. Baird's main workshops were here and in some ways it is believed that the initial pioneering spirit of the early days of TV dwindled to a certain extent after this disaster.
However Baird's company did live on to develop TV sets and CRTs and film scanning equipment. Indeed Cintel International and Brimar are the latest names of the John Logie Baird company.
Peter
