Chain Reaction Record Changer-overer

(This chain reaction device was published on the 26th of June 1952 in The Scout, in John Sweet's column on page 761)

Patrol Leader R. Graves, of the 15th Prestwich Woodpigeon Patrol. has designed an automatic gramophone record changer- overer (specification and blueprint herewith) and an automatic camp plate-washer-upper (not yet off the secret list).

Here is the specification: "The sand in the container A trickles down the chute B into the receptacle C, which, when there is enough sand in it, pulls down the strings over the pullets I and J and moves board F to the left. This pulls three strings simultaneously. The top strong goes over pulley W and raises the needle-arm of the gramophone X. The middle string goes over the pulley K and pulls up the rocker arm L. The is pivoted at M, and therefore N goes downwards. This pulls down the bicycle chain O, which turns the two cogwheels P and Q in such a fashion as to turn over the arms R and S, which turn over the gramophone record. The bottom string goes round the pulley U and pulls down the rod V, on which the record rests, thus allowing the arms R and S to do their stuff more easily. The jar C is then unlimbered and the sand poured back into A (you can't expect R Graves to think of everything). The needle X and the rod V move back of their own accord into the ready position, and the music goes round and round.

There are perhaps one or two obscurities in this design which will not escape the critical eyes of R. Graves' fellow boffins. For instance, he omits the formula for calculating the precise quantity of sand needed to suit the playing-time of the record. Also the operation of the actual turner-overer (parts P,Q,R and S) might have been more clearly defined. As I see it, the arms R and S move with a sudden jerk or jolt, thereby causing the record to spin upwards into the air, to be deftly fielded by the hands at the ends of the arms (hence the gloves) on its descent. Hmmm... Yes ... nothing to criticise there. Thank you, R. Graves. A noble effort, this, entitling you to three Eesikas at the next International Convention of the Screwball Gadgeteers to be held in the heart of the Jack Blunt country midway through the next century.

Chain Reaction 'Scouter Waker Upper'

I found this drawing on a scrap of paper in amongst some notes from the founding Scouter of my old Scout Group, and I suspect this is from John Sweet's column in the Scouting magazine.

"We are indebted to Mr. Jan van der Steen of the Netherlands for this excellent drawing of his all-purpose Scouter-Waker-Upper, without which no well appointed Scout camp should be. 

It works like this:
At the hour set by the Scouter the alarm clock (A) gets working - silently because the bell has been removed. The extended arm of the key on the back of the clock sets the signalling key (B) to work, so that, through the hidden wire, bell (C) wakes dog (D). Dog see sausage (E), gets hungry and starts eating sausage. The movement of his jaws sets the waterpump (F) working and water falls in basin (G). The cat (H) wakes up because its tail is in the basin and gets angry when the tail gets wet. The cat immediately wreaks its fury on the mouse (I) who seeks refuge on the wheel (J). The turning of the wheel tightens ropes (K) so that first of all the match (L) is struck by matchbox (M), lighting the fire (N) to warm water in the kettle (O). The dog (D) happy with the sausage (E) fans the fire (N) by wagging his tail (W). The second rope (K) hoists the flag (V) and pulls the plug (P) out of the air mattress. The same ropes (K) pulls the Scouter (Q) out of his sleeping bag (Z), which is held in position by the peg (R). In the meantime the water level in basin (G) has lifted the ping-pong ball (S) to that by means of the line (T) the teabag (U) drops into the water in the kettle (O) which is just on the boil.

Any questions?"

Cartoon: Tommy the Tenderfoot

For Founder's Day: I came across this postcard in a collection of Scout memorabilia. Drawn by Baden-Powell, this series of cartoons was first published in 1918. More information about the series is available in an article by William Hillcourt.

Cartoon: multi-storey tent

From The April 3 1952 edition of The Scout, p 549. Drawn by Les Saward

Cartoon: camp gadgets

Drawn by Les Saward, from the May 22 1952 edition of The Scout

The Medd Auto-Tent-Door-Closer and D.C. Ingratiator: A Chain Reaction Machine

Like previous chain reaction devices on this blog (the fish harvester and breakfast machine), this contraption was featured in John Sweet's Scoutward Bound column in THE SCOUT magazine. Two quick points before I show his drawing and description: firstly, John Sweet wrote the classic Scout Pioneering,  my favourite book on pioneering. Secondly, if you've ever tried to build a chain reaction device like this, you'll know it's pretty tricky. This eight step reaction took 90 minutes to set up.

From page 729 of the 1953  THE SCOUT annual:

"Senior Scout H. Medd has designed a new precision gadget which is not only most ingenious in itself but also reveals a deep insight into the psychology of such people as Scoutmasters and District Commissioners.
We all know, says Medd, how important it is to keep the Scouter or D.C. in good temper in camp, especially when competitions are under way and everything depends upon the mood in which the examiners wake up in the morning. Many Patrol Leaders, in such circumstances, pin their faith to that early morning cuppa; but what is the good, asks Medd, of  offering a D.C. a cup of tea when he has probably spent a restless and disturbed night?
As everyone knows there are different grades and "depths" of  sleep, and the sort we must ensure for our Scouters and Commissioners is that deep, dreamless variety which reaches right down into the sub-conscious and is spoken of so highly in the advertisements for malted milk.
The "Medd Auto-Tent-Door-Closer and D.C. Ingratiator" achieves the same result quite painlessly. What happens is this:
Rain falls during the night and runs down the trough into the billy-can, thereby upsetting the balance of the guillotine and bringing the razor-sharp knife into operation. This releases the spring-sapling and unties the super slip-reef on the door curtains. At the same time the vibration on the sapling rings the warning bell to let everyone in camp know rain is falling. The D.C. awakes, hears the groans of less fortunate fellow-campers as they stagger out to deal with the situation, and goes peacefully to sleep again."

Cartoon: an easier way...

by 'Graham', from page 107 of Scout Smiles, edited by EGW Wood, published in 1950 and long out of print (but possibly available second hand on Amazon.com)

the Clove Hitch

Maybe this should have been a constrictor instead?


by Bill Sykes, from page 92 of Scout Smiles, edited by EGW Wood, published in 1950 and long out of print (but possibly available second hand on Amazon.com)

Fireman's chair

by John Sweet, from page 81 of Scout Smiles, edited by EGW Wood, published in 1950 and long out of print (but possibly available second hand on Amazon.com)

Cartoon - the sheetbend

By Bill Sykes, from page 91 of the book Scout Smiles, edited by EGW Wood, published in 1950 and long out of print (but possibly available second hand on Amazon.com)

Scouting Cartoon- the Highwayman's Hitch

From John Sweet's weekly 1950's Scout magazine page. (...and more about the Highwayman's Hitch for those who are mystified by the cartoon)

The Combined Fish Harvester: vintage chain reaction project

Like the breakfast machine, this device comes from John Sweet's weekly column in the 1950s (page 104 of the 1953 Scout annual). He writes:


...
A rather more orthodox use for cast-off mousetraps is proposed by Patrol Leader Phillip Edwards of the 12th Stockport Mallory Patrol, but also breaks new ground by suggesting that we might all go fishing with baited mousetraps. What a fascinating idea!

J G Gardner, of the 95th Manchester Curlews, has had the same idea, which he has elaborated in his wonderful Combined Fish Harvester. This device can be set up on the bank of any stream when the water bailiff isn't looking. All you need is a couple of mousetraps, a few odd spares, a pair of pulleys, about half a mile of string and a fine day for it.

What happens is this:

The baited mousetrap A is anchored by means of a Highwayman's Hitch to the staple B, the releasing end of the string being tied to the spring-arm of the trap. When a fish is caught, the trap is released, from B and is hauled up by brick H, which also swings the pivoted pole D so that the arm O sweeps F aside and allows C (with the mousetrap and fish dangling from it) to the spring-arm of which is tied a match which strikes itself on the matchbox 1 and is plunged into the fuse of dry grass L, which lights the fire M, which boils the water in N; which cooks the fish (and the mousetrap), which is finally consumed by the scout Patrol. “Boiled mousetrap, if well seasoned with pepper and salt” writes J G Gardner, “should have no deleterious effect on the flavour of the fish, which will probably taste pretty horrible anyhow”'.

I now see that in copying Gardner's drawing for purposes of reproduction I have made a very silly mistake which will no doubt be at once apparent to one and all. No need, therefore, for me to draw your attention to it.
...

Scouting Cartoon: 'Operation Dryfeet'

Like March's cartoon, this is from the 1949 Scout annual. There are some interesting ideas in here- it might be worthwhile to try and build a pioneered cart with a hiking tent on it, or a suspended tent on a platform... (if you're a Scouter of the devious variety there are some good ideas for inter-patrol challenges or STAs in this drawing)

Pioneering Cartoon

Am I the only one who has done something similar to this?
(from the 1949 Scout annual, p151. Artist unknown, signed 'L.S')

Chain Reaction Device: Breakfast Machine

John Sweet's columns in the old Scout magazine were filled with all manner of improbable device. Here is a typical example from 1953 with the description from the magazine:



"John Tomkins of the 105th Manchester Troop has perfected another of those admirable devices for getting the Patrol off to a flying start in the morning. You will notice a strong family resemblance to other screwball gadgets which have appeared from time to time in this column, but it has one or two new and endearing features.

What happens, apparently, is this:

The sand in the container A runs out slowly through the hole in the bottom during the long watches of the night, so that, with the coming of dawn, the counter-weight drops and the match on the end strikes itself neatly on the box and touches off the paraffin wick fuse, which lights the fire.

The fire, gently fanned by the morning breeze, burns through the string above it and allows the sapling spring to come into operation. This swings the billycan of water over the fire. At the same time the match on the other end of the rod sweeps past the second matchbox and is struck. This touches off the firework, and the sound of the explosion awakens the peacefully sleeping Patrol."