What’s That? (5)

18 responses to “What’s That? (5)”

1. 

   angry shock

   Oct 29, 2004 at 8:46 pm

   A PHOTO!

   duh.

   Reply
2. 

   ceonyc

   Oct 29, 2004 at 8:49 pm

   It looks like netting for a chair or something… I think you could sit on whatever it is and it would hold you.

   Reply
3. 

   ScottyM

   Oct 29, 2004 at 9:26 pm

   Looks like core memory. an array of doughnut-shaped magnets which are read and written via the intersections of the grid of electrical wires running through them.

   Reply
4. 

   zenera

   Oct 29, 2004 at 9:34 pm

   Mesh over the air vent on a classic car or some other contraption?

   Reply
5. 

   jurvetson

   Oct 29, 2004 at 9:43 pm

   Bingo to ScottyM, and within one hour no less!

   Thirty years ago, this was the standard for memory in electronics. The core memory boards were hand woven at first (this photo was from a board with the largest cores I have seen… an early model). Over time, the cores became smaller, more tightly packed, and machine woven. I just posted an example of that.

   The next puzzle will have to be tougher!

   Reply
6. 

   zenera

   Oct 29, 2004 at 9:55 pm

   Bravo! beam us up Scotty

   Reply
7. 

   doctor paradox

   Jan 4, 2005 at 5:52 am

   nice. love this ‘gadget guts’ series!!

   Reply
8. 

   BenODen

   Jan 27, 2005 at 4:54 am

   So, wait, the crossing wires never touch? So the magnetism at the intersections captures the value? How bizarre! I never got around to looking into how core memory worked!

   Reply
9. 

   fatllama

   Sep 8, 2005 at 6:52 am

   So, wait, the crossing wires never touch?

   The wires are likely coated in enamel so the conductors can’t touch. However, the magnetic fields created by currents in the wires are not stopped by the enamel and can interact with the iron cores.

   Reply
10. 

    BenODen

    Sep 8, 2005 at 7:55 pm

    Ah, yes, the solenoid winder’s dream, just don’t scratch the enamel.

    Reply
11. 

    E_Journeys

    Nov 2, 2005 at 4:19 am

    Great shot. Makes me think of a static abacus: long-ago ancestor to the electronics.

    Reply
12. 

    Frédéric Poirot

    Nov 2, 2005 at 7:54 am

    maybe a ‘One Ring’ factory, souvnir of the Dark ages….mmm, guess this is the geek in me talking 🙂

    Reply
13. 

    Mark Strozier

    Feb 8, 2006 at 2:04 am

    Dang it. and I knew this one too.

    Day late, dollar short.

    Reply
14. 

    jovino

    Jun 26, 2006 at 6:28 pm

    Actually, ScottyM is only partially correct. The rings are not magnets, they are ferrite disks.

    Reply
15. 

    venkatx5

    Jan 25, 2007 at 4:09 am

    Great Work.. Informative as well as Entertaining..

    Reply
16. 

    TomiTapio

    Jan 25, 2008 at 11:18 pm

    A noise-making grill.

    Reply
17. 

    KMorhart

    Nov 11, 2008 at 4:37 am

    Congratulations! This photo won 1st place in the contest Woven
    Winner’s Circle – Icon of the week winner – Ragesoss

    Reply
18. 

    Ender079

    Jan 8, 2010 at 8:27 am

    Nice DoF!!

    Seen in: :
    

    Reply