3 ms·
The book spycatcher https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spycatcher https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spycatcher is an engaging read that has many interesting bits about b
by srean 10y ago
The book spycatcher https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spycatcher https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spycatcher is an engaging read that has many interesting bits about bugging capabilities. Its author, Peter Wright played a significant role in figuring out how the device worked.
Wright determined that the bugging device, dubbed The
Thing, was actually a tiny capacitive membrane (a
condenser microphone) that became active only when 330
MHz microwaves were beamed to it from a remote
transmitter. A remote receiver could then have been used
to decode the modulated microwave signal and permit
sounds picked up by the microphone to be overheard. The
device was eventually attributed to Soviet inventor,
Léon Theremin." -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Wright
Those who are more informed about these things than the layman don't like the book as much.
- pcl 10y agoLéon Theremin also invented the musical instrument bearing his name: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin It's best known for its otherworldly sounds. But the control mechanism is relevant here: two antennas are positioned to create a 2D field, and the motion of the musician's hands within that field controls tone and amplitude. Clearly, the guy was a talented radio researcher. He invented it in 1920 in Russia, emigrated to the US in the late 20s, and ended up back in Russia in the late 30s. Sounds like a fascinating guy. Does anyone have any recommendations for biographies of him?
- Theodores 10y agoSo it is just a Theremin machine in disguise! Thanks to your explanation I now imagine the 'Thing' to be a bit like Theremin player Dorit Chrysler in this live performance by Trentemøller: Silver Surfer, Ghost Rider Go!!!: https://youtu.be/_0gTZ6A0waE?t=3m10s https://youtu.be/_0gTZ6A0waE?t=3m10s https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorit_Chrysler https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorit_Chrysler
- tim333 10y agoSee also Theremin playing a Theremin. Seems he was quite musical as well as a techie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5qf9O6c20o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5qf9O6c20o
- idlewords 10y agoI gave a talk on Theremin and his many inventions a couple of years ago! http://idlewords.com/talks/our_comrade_the_electron.htm http://idlewords.com/talks/our_comrade_the_electron.htm I highly recommend the documentary called "Theremin: An Electronic Oddyssey" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108323/ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108323/ And "Ether, Music & Espionage" is an engaging biography: https://www.amazon.com/Theremin-ETHER-MUSIC-ESPIONAGE-American/dp/0252072758 https://www.amazon.com/Theremin-ETHER-MUSIC-ESPIONAGE-Americ... My favorite factoid about him is that late in life, Theremin became convinced that the secret to immortality lay in "young blood". Certain billionaires seem to be testing his theory today.
- bonzini 10y agoA theremin also makes a great controller for "air guitar hero": https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FQm1H-pLV2k https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FQm1H-pLV2k
- bigiain 10y agoAnd a cat toy, apparently: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R14LwycvaU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R14LwycvaU (There's gotta be a good tinfoil hat blog post about cats, theremins, laser pointers, and toxoplasmosis(1) - if someone hasn't already written it...) (1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasmosis#Society_and_culture https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasmosis#Society_and_cult...