Letter to the editor of LIFE, 1945
Posted: April 27th, 2010 | Author: Patrick | Filed under: Books, Discovery, Technology | Tags: machines history periodicals | No Comments »Preparing for my recent ETS Colloquium talk, I came across this letter to the editor of LIFE Magazine, in response to their September 10, 1945 reprint of Vannevar Bush’s As We May Think (with fantastic/terrifying illustrations). Both issues (9.10.45 & 10.1.45) are available via Google Books, and are well worth a look. I excerpt the letter here, though, to ensure that you read it:
Sirs:
The plan outlined by Dr. Bush of having a small camera akwardly strapped to the forehead is antiquated. I have experimented with a small camera built directly into the skull. The flesh and skin is scientifically grafted right up to, but not over, the lens. Removing upward of 38% of the brain matter gives ample space for the most advanced science of dry photography.
In Dr. Bush’s archaic plan he stated that “the cord which trips its shutter may reach down a man’s sleeve wihin easy reach of his fingers.” For releasing the shutter of our improved built-in forehead camera, we insert thin wire throug an old arm vein no longer needed on account of the substitution of a more scientific plastic vein. This up-to-date method not only operates the camera with greater speed, but eliminates the cumbersome and unsightly tube hung over the right ear in Dr. Bush’s method.
MATTHIAS KOOPS JR.
Chillicothe, Ohio
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