4 ms·

Interestingly, power grids also made a lot of clocks possible that relied on a fixed AC frequency.

mbreese 3y ago
That’s actually what the story was about. In order to have/sell a good AC grid-powered clock, it was necessary to have a consistent AC frequency. A consistent frequency was also necessary to have an interconnected grid. Solving one problem (the household clock) also made power grids possible.
- detourdog 3y ago
  I have a 1931 model school built by the works progress administration. The school had a dedicated clock circuit one of about 5 electrical circuits. The clocks came from Standard Time Company of Springfield Mass. It has a paper tape that represents the bell schedule for the entire year. The clocks being on the same circuit kept them in sync. The paper tape rang the bells on the schedule.
  - Mtinie 3y ago
    "I have a 1931 model school built by the works progress administration." As in, you own one? If so, that's awesome! I'd be very interested in learning more.
    - detourdog 3y ago
      Yes. It's a 1931 school with a '54 edition. I have been working on turning each class room into a studio apartment. It has been really great experience. The historic design significance is really deep. Here is what is left to the architect that specialized in model schools made of re-enforced brick masonry. https://www.michiganmodern.org/modern-designers/warren-holmes-company/ https://www.michiganmodern.org/modern-designers/warren-holme... The current building codes I think were fundamentally defined during this era of construction. The building is technical a Modernist building as it steel structure with brick veneer walls. The building was very original when I got it and I have tried to maintain that as much as possible. I have insulated based on guidance from Building Science Corporation. I'm in New England and we have been getting by using air sourced heat pumps. I have a 40kW solar array to offset energy costs and fiber to the building. https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0Y5oqs3qnakFd https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0Y5oqs3qnakFd The building is live/work and I'm hoping to attract HN like people to create a strong community.
      - Mtinie 3y ago
        Thank you for sharing! I appreciate the plan you have for the building. Best wishes on your endeavor.

That’s actually what the story was about. In order to have/sell a good AC grid-powered clock, it was necessary to have a consistent AC frequency. A consistent frequency was also necessary to have an interconnected grid. Solving one problem (the household clock) also made power grids possible.

detourdog 3y ago
I have a 1931 model school built by the works progress administration. The school had a dedicated clock circuit one of about 5 electrical circuits. The clocks came from Standard Time Company of Springfield Mass. It has a paper tape that represents the bell schedule for the entire year. The clocks being on the same circuit kept them in sync. The paper tape rang the bells on the schedule.
- Mtinie 3y ago
  "I have a 1931 model school built by the works progress administration." As in, you own one? If so, that's awesome! I'd be very interested in learning more.
  - detourdog 3y ago
    Yes. It's a 1931 school with a '54 edition. I have been working on turning each class room into a studio apartment. It has been really great experience. The historic design significance is really deep. Here is what is left to the architect that specialized in model schools made of re-enforced brick masonry. https://www.michiganmodern.org/modern-designers/warren-holmes-company/ https://www.michiganmodern.org/modern-designers/warren-holme... The current building codes I think were fundamentally defined during this era of construction. The building is technical a Modernist building as it steel structure with brick veneer walls. The building was very original when I got it and I have tried to maintain that as much as possible. I have insulated based on guidance from Building Science Corporation. I'm in New England and we have been getting by using air sourced heat pumps. I have a 40kW solar array to offset energy costs and fiber to the building. https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0Y5oqs3qnakFd https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0Y5oqs3qnakFd The building is live/work and I'm hoping to attract HN like people to create a strong community.
    - Mtinie 3y ago
      Thank you for sharing! I appreciate the plan you have for the building. Best wishes on your endeavor.