Category: Technology
China CCTV Building
In Beijing, China there is a CCTV that has a bunch of satellite dishes on top of the building and it is in the shape of a pair of pants. It looks like a silver pair Spongebob’s Squarepants.
Early Navigation Map
At the Smithsonian Museum of Air and Space in Washington, D.C. there is a this early navigation map that leads into the exhibit about navigation and using Global Positioning for navigation. I really enjoy looking at old maps to see how the creator perceived the area in which they were mapping to see the difference …
What a difference a century makes
Here are some statistics for the Year 1919: The average life expectancy for men was 47 years. Fuel for cars was sold in drug stores only. Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub. Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone. The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph. The …
James Bond 007 Spy Car
Displayed near the front door of the International Spy museum in Washington D.C. is a James Bond 007 car. This sweet little sports car shows off the technology to help Bond evade some bad guys.
Kadena Technical Control Facility Intermediate Distribution Frame
I belong to a group of people who share stories, photos, and stuff about different places they work. Here is a photo of the Kadena Airbase Tech Control Facility’s intermediate distribution frame that another person shared. He said this photo was from the 70’s or 80’s. What’s funny is when I was there in the …
German Enigma Machine
This is a four rotor Enigma machine that was created by German around the time of 1943-1944. Germany built this rare Enigma for its ally, Japan. You can tell by both the character and the fourth rotor. Germany was unaware that Britain had cracked the Enigma they added the fourth rotor in 1942 to strengthen …
The Spirit of St. Louis
Hanging high in the Smithsonian National Air and Space museum is the Spirit of St. Louis. This plane is best known for being flown by Charles Lindbergh on the first solo non-stop transatlantic flight from New York to London on May 20-21st, 1927.
Lunar Module 2
Between 1969 and 1972, six lunar modules essentially identical to this one landed a total of 12 American astronauts on the Moon. This lunar module, LM-2, never flew into space. It was built for testing in low Earth orbit, but was actually used on Earth to measure the LM’s ability to withstand the forces of …
Magellan Global Positioning System Test Components
The Magellan Systems Corporation produced some of the earliest handheld GPS units for civilian use. In 1986 its engineers began experimenting with electronic mockups of a unit. Displayed here is the earliest “breadboard” and keyboard used to test circuitry and components at Magellan.
First Operational Intelligence Satellite, the GRAB I
The GRAB I was the first operational intelligence satellite that would detect pulses from Soviet radars and then relay them to ground stations where they would be sent for analysis.
International Spy Museum Mechanical Dragonfly
At the International Spy Museum located in Washington D.C. there are many interesting things that can be found. Here is a graphic depicting a mechanical dragonfly that could be used to listen to conversations or take photos without being detected.
Siemens-Halske W38 Phone
This switchboard operator’s desk telephone was manufactured by Siemens-Halske in Germany. It is believe the history of this specific device was removed from one of the U.S. Missions in Germany. A close inspection of the typed labels for the switches are in German. The telephone was called “REIPOS”. The bulk of the unit is made …
German Spy Pigeon
During World War I (1914-1918) Germany had equipped pigeons with small camera equipment for the benefit of gaining intelligence.
International Spy Museum Micro Camera
At the International Spy Museum located in Washington D.C. there are many interesting things that can be found. Here is a graphic depicting a micro camera.
The Viking Lander at the Smithsonian
The Smithsonian Museum of Air and Space located in Washington D.C. is the host to many free exhibits that are the culmination of different major events throughout history for both flight and space travel. The Viking Lander shown here is one of those exhibits. The Viking Lander is best known for being the first U.S. …
International Spy Museum Army Cipher Device
At the International Spy Museum located in Washington D.C. there are many interesting things that can be found. Here is a graphic depicting an Army cipher device.
The Wright Brothers at the Smithsonian
At the Smithsonian museum of air and space is an exhibit featuring the Orville and Wilbur Wright. The Wright brothers exhibit features the aircraft in which they first flew at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina and the vertical four-cylinder engine that powered their aircraft.
International Spy Museum Hidden Shoe Compartment
At the International Spy Museum located in Washington D.C. there are many interesting things that can be found. Here is a graphic depicting a hidden compartment in the heal of a shoe.
