2 HN users recommended this explainer2 months2020–2021score 2.5
Years with an HN recommendation, 2007–2026
Recommended as an eye-opening look at pre-computer automation and relay logic.
Technology Connections takes apart a 1970 Wurlitzer 3400 jukebox to show how electromechanical relays and switches automated its behavior without a computer.
“The computer free automation of a jukebox from the 1970s is an eye opener” (HN, 2020)
This video made me aware of his channel a few months back and I've been hooked. I really enjoyed the multi-part one where he explained the inner workings of a jukebox[0] [0] [this video]
Multi-part explanation of jukebox inner workings that hooked commenter.
By today's standard Doom doesn't need much processing power. You could probably find exactly the right chip that only has exactly just as many bits of RAM as you need for the lamp's functionality. But that would probably be more expensive to develop and chip than just using standard parts? Even more radical: I suspect with a bit of cleverness you could probably do everything the lamp needs to do with some relays and transistors. But today, that would be more expensive. Compare [this video] for the latter approach.
Example of doing automation with relays rather than chips.
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