Home Automation in 1950

Post by **Esteban** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:37 am

One of the pioneers, long before we all started, this is an article from Popular Mechanics December 1950. I'm sorry for the size of the pictures but I wanted to make sure they were still legible when I resized them.

Found the article here:
http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/12/ ... ton-manor/

Post by **Snelvuur** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:25 am

very nice, but i think he's a bit dead to ask any questions anymore

besides that i think he was the bwired from back then. I like the automatic windows. even for today standard this would work, but nowadays windows flap inwards..

// Erik (binkey.nl)

Post by **Bwired** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:19 pm

Great article!

Post by **linuxha** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 6:26 am

My neighbor gave me a beat up magazine with that very article in it about ten years ago. I love it. I have it somewhere around here.

Neil Cherry
Linux Home Automation
Author: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies

Post by **Esteban** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 4:08 pm

@snelvuur: yes I guess so, but maybe his kids caught the home automation bug aswell

The windows system would indeed still work for buildings, even today. These windows are still pretty common in the States. A bigger problem I foresee is when it starts raining, and you're relaxing by the window with your head outside of it hehe.

@Linuxha: That's is one attent neighbor you have there. Great stuff

@Bwired: I think it's a great article as well, especially the ingenuity
of the maker. This was a in time without X10/KNX/Crestron, Nikobus and fancy electronics etc... Everything had to be imagined and built by himself. Very cool, I would love to have a bigger picture of that control closet to get a more detailed understanding of what exactly is in there.

Post by **linuxha** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 7:52 pm

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Esteban
 @snelvuur: yes I guess so, but maybe his kids caught the home automation bug aswell

The windows system would indeed still work for buildings, even today. These windows are still pretty common in the States. A bigger problem I foresee is when it starts raining, and you're relaxing by the window with your head outside of it hehe.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I think this was during a time when common sense was, well, more common. [;)]
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
@Linuxha: That's is one attent neighbor you have there. Great stuff
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
My neighbor is a very odd fellow (in a very good way). On sunny weekend mornings (after 10 AM) he likes to play old 78's (music records) loud enough for the entire neighborhood to hear (he takes requests other than to turn it off [;)] ). So far no one has ask him not to play his records. I tease him a bit saying why are you playing that old crap, why don't you play something more modern like Benny Goodman (1930/1940's).

He likes to resurrect old things, vacuum cleaners, juke boxes, radios, cars, etc. We have very interesting conversations.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
@Bwired: I think it's a great article as well, especially the ingenuity
of the maker. This was a in time without X10/KNX/Crestron, Nikobus and fancy electronics etc... Everything had to be imagined and built by himself. Very cool, I would love to have a bigger picture of that control closet to get a more detailed understanding of what exactly is in there.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The part I love best is the automated Radio. This guy was clearly very imaginative! I would love to have seen the house also. I betcha it was a tough sell after he passed away. [:(]