EBME Forums Forums Free discussion Out of Hours Genius Guys ... and Interesting People

Ray Dolby. Gone, but not forgotten.

May he RE_T in PEA_E

Or taking the hiss?

There's not too many Genius Guys I can think of who came up with something that solved a real problem, saw his idea through to practical implementation, got his name on the tin (to the extent that it's seen on kit all across the world), and made a hefty wad at the same time!

Where are the (Analogue) Electronics heroes of today? Is it a dead art now? It's all about the software nowadays, all of the clever electronics is overshadowed by software, who designed the ps3, Xbox, ipad etc? Some fantastic bits of electronics but nobody cares so long as the software is ok.

Not so sure about heroes ... but I know of a number of clever blokes involved in the retro-computer scene.

It's amazing what some of those guys come up with in the way of interfaces (etc.} that allow thirty-year old eight-bit computers (for example) to use the latest "technologies" (stuff that was not even dreamed about back in the 1980's).

And most (if not all) are simply "enthusiastic amateurs" (in the Good Old British tradition), cranking out brilliant little hacks, usually at "pocket money" prices.

Not only the hardware, but the software too (intertwined as they generally are these days, as you have already hinted).

OK, there's not too much "analogue" going on these days. But there are still a couple of (British) folk designing (and making) "high-end" quality audio kit aimed at the aficionado market (you know, those lucky people for whom "money is no object" - for their hobbies, at least).

... but don't just take my word for that, Bill. See here.

These guys are our neighbours at EBME towers... Thermionic Culture

Some lovely looking kit there.

Ah yes. That's more like it.

Beautiful. And great names, as well.

But best of all:- "Hand made in England"

Note to Bill:- it looks like you can download some of the manuals - but I don't see any circuits, unfortunately.

PS: more of the same. On the other hand (for my money at least), modern kit like this "presses all the right buttons" (as they say) - often available on eBay, too. Or how about this as an example of nice looking (OTT?) design? Neat, ain't it?

Meanwhile, back at the thread ...

I feel we should note the passing of Forrest Bird ... who, apart from being famous for the ventilators we have all seen which bear his name, was apparently also the "oldest helicopter pilot in the world".