24-05-2020, 08:05 AM
That is really interesting and a trip down memory lane! I was there from '74 to '77, and remember the red brick Zeppler building well. But I never met the man himself.
I have a story about IBM. After my electronics degree I decided that going to work wasn't yet for me and stayed on to do a PhD in laser physics. This was on high power pulsed lasers. IBM got in touch at one point asking if we could help them solve a problem with a colour monitor development. The switched mode supply would randomly die, and they suspected it was triggered by flash-over between electrodes in the neck of the CRT. We said sure we could help. They arrived with two of these monster hernia-inducing monitors, and I triggered controlled flashover by focusing my laser through the CRT neck onto an electrode. First pulse - bang went the supply. Same with the second monitor. They went away having had it confirmed that their idea was right.
They came back with two monitors with modified supplies, which I also blew up for them.
Next time they arrived there was a delegation including managers. New modification has been carried out, which they said was a robust fix. I blew them up too. And then right in front of me a massive barney happened between management and engineers - at that point I tactically withdrew. They did not come back a fourth for me to annihilate more monitors for them.
Craig
I have a story about IBM. After my electronics degree I decided that going to work wasn't yet for me and stayed on to do a PhD in laser physics. This was on high power pulsed lasers. IBM got in touch at one point asking if we could help them solve a problem with a colour monitor development. The switched mode supply would randomly die, and they suspected it was triggered by flash-over between electrodes in the neck of the CRT. We said sure we could help. They arrived with two of these monster hernia-inducing monitors, and I triggered controlled flashover by focusing my laser through the CRT neck onto an electrode. First pulse - bang went the supply. Same with the second monitor. They went away having had it confirmed that their idea was right.
They came back with two monitors with modified supplies, which I also blew up for them.
Next time they arrived there was a delegation including managers. New modification has been carried out, which they said was a robust fix. I blew them up too. And then right in front of me a massive barney happened between management and engineers - at that point I tactically withdrew. They did not come back a fourth for me to annihilate more monitors for them.
Craig
