There's an interesting hardware project on the internet: Bob Blick's Propeller Clock The clock is basically built from components salvaged from a vcr machine. I realize that some readers might begin to think about how the built-in clock tends to be the feature most likely to be not utilized on vcr units, by persons not willing to take the effort to figure out how to program it; However the referenced hardware project, goes way above and beyond simply salvaging an unused vcr clock. The clock is actualy built from the vcr motor, which is utilized to spin a column of 7 Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) in a propeller type manner, to create a display illusion. One of the things that I find to be technologically sophisticated about the project is the method utilized to provide electric power. Any person who has ever contemplated concepts such as how to provide electric power to a rotating platform, realizes that simple hooking up wires from a stationary base would result in the wires becoming hopelessly twisted, then broken. Normally innovative implementation would involve metal wipers (like on old trolly cars or amusement park bumper cars) wiping against electrified metal slip discs. The way the propeller clock project is implemented is to tap the electricity that is passed through the motor's coil windings: thereby obtaining its power from the spinning armature of a plain DC motor. Neat ... huh?

This webpage was last updated on March 14, 2001