When I was a kid in the mid 60's I remember seeing certain vacuum cleaners advertised in this way: the vacuum cleaner would be turned on, the hose/nozzle would be affixed/pointed at a high angle and a beach ball would magically hover/dance in mid air. (The vacuum cleaner would be set for blowing out air of course) I remember seeing this in dept stores like Sears and Penney's. I was just wondering if anyone else remembers this? Thanks, Kit
I was always fascinated by those and the floating faucets at the irrigation companies.
Being airplane crazy I kinda' understood the levitating ball thing, even at a young age. The floating faucet always fascinated me.
Anybody else old enough to remember back when (~1957?) the old Atomic Energy Commission (now DOE) put together a traveling "Atoms for Peace" show that they sent to state fairs, etc., promoting nuclear energy and its promise of "too cheap to meter" electricity?
My favorite demonstration was a small "radiation chamber" (probably a radioisotope-fueled slow neutron source) enclosed in a very large concrete and lead shielded housing. They would ask one of the visitors for a dime, weigh it carefully on an analytical balance, and then put it in a small drawer which was inserted into the radiation chamber for a few minutes. Upon removal they would weigh the dime again, and it would be substantially heavier than before, due to neutron capture by the silver atoms in the dime. End of demonstration. You can put that slightly-radioactive dime back in your pocket now.
[This message has been edited by Marvin McInnis (edited 11-24-2014).]
Being airplane crazy I kinda' understood the levitating ball thing, even at a young age. The floating faucet always fascinated me.
Anybody else old enough to remember back when (~1957?) the old Atomic Energy Commission (now DOE) put together a traveling "Atoms for Peace" show that they sent to state fairs, etc., promoting nuclear energy and its promise of "too cheap to meter" electricity?
My favorite demonstration was a small "radiation chamber" (probably a radioisotope-fueled slow neutron source) enclosed in a very large concrete and lead shielded housing. They would ask one of the visitors for a dime, weigh it carefully on an analytical balance, and then put it in a small drawer which was inserted into the radiation chamber for a few minutes. Upon removal they would weigh the dime again, and it would be substantially heavier than before, due to neutron capture by the silver atoms in the dime. End of demonstration. You can put that slightly-radioactive dime back in your pocket now.
Damn, we didn't get into aerodynamics until Ms. Taylor's first grade class. We were a slow group.
I recall hearing something about the radiation chamber in schools but it might have been from my brother. In '57 I would have been three and I am guessing they didn't do that too long. I got started late.
My favorite demonstration was a small "radiation chamber" (probably a radioisotope-fueled slow neutron source) enclosed in a very large concrete and lead shielded housing. They would ask one of the visitors for a dime, weigh it carefully on an analytical balance, and then put it in a small drawer which was inserted into the radiation chamber for a few minutes. Upon removal they would weigh the dime again, and it would be substantially heavier than before, due to neutron capture by the silver atoms in the dime. End of demonstration. You can put that slightly-radioactive dime back in your pocket now.
I never got the opportunity to enjoy radiation poisoning , but I remember back in '67-'68 in grade 7 science class we were encouraged by the teacher to pour mercury into our cupped hands and play with the freakin' stuff.
Being airplane crazy I kinda' understood the levitating ball thing, even at a young age. The floating faucet always fascinated me.
Anybody else old enough to remember back when (~1957?) the old Atomic Energy Commission (now DOE) put together a traveling "Atoms for Peace" show that they sent to state fairs, etc., promoting nuclear energy and its promise of "too cheap to meter" electricity?
My favorite demonstration was a small "radiation chamber" (probably a radioisotope-fueled slow neutron source) enclosed in a very large concrete and lead shielded housing. They would ask one of the visitors for a dime, weigh it carefully on an analytical balance, and then put it in a small drawer which was inserted into the radiation chamber for a few minutes. Upon removal they would weigh the dime again, and it would be substantially heavier than before, due to neutron capture by the silver atoms in the dime. End of demonstration. You can put that slightly-radioactive dime back in your pocket now.
So now we all know what happened too you !
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
, but I remember back in '67-'68 in grade 7 science class we were encouraged by the teacher to pour mercury into our cupped hands and play with the freakin' stuff. 
