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sdgiu Elite user The Boonies, NC 456 Posts |
Every couple of years I put out a request for information on a Magic Switchboard.
When I was a kid, in grade school (1965) one of my friends brought in some magic tricks and did a magic show for us for a show-and-tell day. One of the tricks was a Magic Switchboard, that his dad had made. In the past I have come across these plans somewhere, but at the time, I was uninterested. Now unfortunately, I am very interested and can't find anything about them. Now, I am aware of the Wellington switchboard, and that possibly one of Martin Gardner's books has plans with one in it. (can't find the name of this book.). I've learned that Bob Swalding in England has the switchboard in his old lecture notes, but I can not find a copy. So, knowing all this, and that I am a disabled vet, who has been out of work for a couple of years, i.e. not enough $$ to buy a new one, or even a used one. Has anyone got a possible lead on where to find the plans for this elusive device? I was a passable electronics tech(among other things) for part of my little army vacation , and I enjoy playing with electronics at times. So, H E L P !!! Thanks Steve |
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sdgiu Elite user The Boonies, NC 456 Posts |
Surely someone smarter than me (which is probably everybody ) knows or has come across information on one of the areas I am looking for, in some obscure search they were doing.
I am sure that I could rig up something with a remote, that would accomplish the same effect, but now, after so long, it has become almost a matter of principle. I will find this information, or figure out how to make a magic switchboard. It is becoming my "Grail" (sad huh , some people have entirely too much time on their hands, and need to get a real life, but then I might have to work ). Anyway, If you have any info on the switchboard that you'd like to share, it would be Greatly appreciated. Thanks Steve |
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Micheal Leath Inner circle 1048 Posts |
I seem to remember seeing a drawing in one of Martin Gardner's books. I'm not sure which one though.
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Dave Fiscus New user 94 Posts |
Steve,
You have some electronics background so I will steer you in the right direction to figure out how to make a board with three different-colored switches and three colored bulbs, but not resorting to complicated electronics. Think 3 sockets with changeable colored sleeves, three switches with changeable switch plates, six magnets, and eighteen reed switches. Good luck! Dave |
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Dr. Solar Special user Citrus Heights, Ca. 526 Posts |
Steve, Did you want two or three bulbs? If two, I believe I have instructions on a video tucked away somewhere. I'm currently in a remodeling period.
"look for me in all things forgotten"
www.drsolar.com |
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sdgiu Elite user The Boonies, NC 456 Posts |
Thanks Michael
I have been told that, about Martin Gardner before, but no one seems to remember which book. I'm beginning to think it is more an urban legend than reality . However with so many people telling me that, I will continue to try to find this book, as even some legends have some basis in fact. Thanks again, Michael Steve P.S. Here is a short list of his books that may contain the info. If anything sounds familiar to anyone, let me know. (Please excuse the numbering, as this came from a much bigger list, I tried to weed out things I was pretty sure that didn't have anything to do with the "Magic Switchboard", i.e. "Annotated Alice in Wonderland" etc... Martin Gardner 6. Are Universes Thicker Than Blackberries?: Discourses on Godel, Magic Hexagrams, Little Red Riding Hood, and Other Mathematical and Pseudoscientific Topics 9. Classic Brainteasers 10. Codes, Ciphers, and Secret Writing. 11. Colossal Book of Mathematics: Classic Puzzles, Paradoxes, and Problems 12. Colossal Book of Short Puzzles And Problems 16. Did Adam and Eve Have Navels?: Debunking Pseudoscience 17. Emperor's New Mind: Concerning Computers, Minds, and the Laws of Physics 18. Entertaining Mathematical Puzzles 19. Entertaining Science Experiments With Everyday Objects 20. Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science 24. Gardner's Whys & Wherefores 25. Gardner's Workout: Training the Mind and Entertaining the Spirit 27. Hexaflexagons and Other Mathematical Diversions: The First Scientific American Book of Puzzles and Games 28. How Not to Test a Psychic: Ten Years of Remarkable Experiments With Renowned Clairvoyant Pavel Stepanek 29. Hunting of the Snark: And Agony in Eight Fits 30. Introduction to the Philosophy of Science 31. Magic Numbers of Dr Matrix 32. Magician's Magic 34. Martin Gardener's Table Magic 35. Martin Gardner's Favorite Poetic Parodies 36. Match Magic: More Than Seventy Impromptu Tricks With Matches 37. Mathemagician and Pied Puzzler: A Collection in Tribute to Martin Gardner 38. Mathematical Games: The Entire Collection of His Scientific American Columns 39. Mathematical Puzzle Tales 40. Mathematics, Magic and Mystery. 41. My Best Mathematical and Logic Puzzles 42. New Age: Notes of a Fringe-Watcher 43. New Ambidextrous Universe: Symmetry And Asymmetry From Mirror Reflections To Superstrings 44. New Mathematical Diversions: More Puzzles, Problems, Games, and Other Mathematical Diversions 46. No-Sided Professor and Other Tales of Fantasy, Humor, Mystery, and Philosophy 48. Order and Surprise 49. Penrose Tiles to Trapdoor Ciphers: And the Return of Dr. Matrix 50. Perplexing Puzzles and Tantalizing Teasers/2 Volumes in 1 51. Phantasmagoria 53. Puzzling Questions About the Solar System 54. Relativity Simply Explained 55. Riddles of the Sphinx: And Other Mathematical Puzzle Tales 56. Science: Good, Bad, and Bogus 57. Science: Good, Bad, and Bogus 58. Second Scientific American Book of Mathematical Puzzles and Diversions 59. Smart Science Tricks 60. Smart Science Tricks 61. Snark Puzzle Book 64. Unexpected Hanging: And Other Mathematical Diversions 66. Weird Water & Fuzzy Logic: More Notes of a Fringe Watcher 67. Whys of a Philosophical Scrivener 68. Whys of a Philosophical Scrivener 70. Wreck of the Titanic Foretold? Anyway, Thanks for looking over the list. Steve |
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sdgiu Elite user The Boonies, NC 456 Posts |
Dave
Thank you for your post, and your confidence in me, although I am sorry to say, you have a greater ammount of confidence in me than I have, the old memory isn't what it used to be (too many actual blows to the head while in the army). It makes for an interesting list, I will try to assemble the right stuff, and see what happens. Thanks again Steve |
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sdgiu Elite user The Boonies, NC 456 Posts |
Dr Solar
I am, at this point, not real picky. I would love to beg, borrow or buy your video with the instructions, or even just getting the name of the video would be a great help. However, Remodeling is a "Real" type thing, and fun type things, like stopping to look for the video, are definitely back-burner stuff. I just helped my Dad remodel his kitchen. Nothing else matters till the remodeling is done... When you are through with your remodeling, and everything is cleaned up and put away to your satisfaction, then if you come across the stuff, I'd appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks Steve |
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DougTait Elite user Sebring, FL 492 Posts |
Steve;
Quote:
27. Hexaflexagons and Other Mathematical Diversions: The First Scientific American Book of Puzzles and Games Your answer may be here. In chapter 12 of this book there is a reference to "The Efficient Electrican". The book was first published in 1959 by Simon and Shuster as "The Scientific American Book of Mathematical Puzzles and Diversions". It was later retitled as above. It is available from Amazon for $10.20. Now I do not know if this is the reference you are looking for. I do not have the book, and have never read it. I just thought I would try to help out a brother-in-arms. Best wishes, Doug (CW4, Ret).
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men [and women] to do nothing."
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magicjohn2278 Special user Isle of Man UK 544 Posts |
Sdgiu,
I'd be interested to hear your your description of the magic switchboard routine that you saw. - I recall seeing a diagram (somewhere!) for a sort of switchboard trick which involved push-on/push/off type switches - it wasn't a particularly good trick, and really involved just wiring up the switches in series and remembering which ones had been pressed. Certainly the switchboard that Wellington sells couldn't have been made 10 to 15 years ago - the components just were not available! (It took me nearly two years to make my own! See http://www.johnfcain.com ) |
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Micheal Leath Inner circle 1048 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-02-07 11:12, DougTait wrote: That very well may be the book that I saw it in years ago. |
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Dr. Solar Special user Citrus Heights, Ca. 526 Posts |
Steve, I will not wait until my remodel is through. But it may take a week or so. I will look. The book mentioned looks good, and MagicJohn, your page is terrific.
"look for me in all things forgotten"
www.drsolar.com |
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sb Special user 567 Posts |
I seem to remember this in a Gardner book too. It may be "Martins Miracles". If that sounds familiar, then I will attempt to find my copy of it. (which may take a few days....)
scott |
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truthteller Inner circle 2584 Posts |
There is a magic switchboard routine in Bob Neale's Tricks of the Imagination. It is not a switchboard like the Wellington model, but a very deceptive and easy-to-make version.
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themaestro New user TX 50 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-02-07 17:43, sb wrote: My guess is you're thinking of "Martin's Lie Detector" from MARTIN'S MIRACLES. Only it is not a Switch Board as I assume they're talking about--it is an electronic device (it uses reed switches, mercury switches, and magnets) that can be made to light up and buzz at the performer's surrepticious command. Also the Martin in question is not Martin Gardener, but Martin Lewis (written by his father Eric C Lewis). Nowlin
Nowlin Craver
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Dave Fiscus New user 94 Posts |
Steve,
We've let you dangle long enough. Go to this site and look at the circuit (free) for the Combinational Conjuring Trick by Rev. Thomas Scarborough. Is this what you want? http://www.mitedu.freeserve.co.uk/Circuits/Misc/ Dave |
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sdgiu Elite user The Boonies, NC 456 Posts |
Hey Chief(Doug),
Thanks much, I am at the library now, and will do an interlibrary loan if they don't have a copy. If it's the one, Amazon here I come. I really appreciate the assist. What was your field in the service? I never had an honest job, I was MI and Spec ops, kind of back and forth. Thank you for your help, and especially for your service to our country. God Bless you Steve |
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sdgiu Elite user The Boonies, NC 456 Posts |
Hey John,
I'd love to explain the routine that my friend did in 1965, but I have problems remembering what happened yesterday . I am sorry, but I really don't remember the routine, it probably wasn't much as we were about 10 years old, and just saying the word "Magic" impressed us. I went to your site, and except for being much nicer, your box looks very similar to the one I remember. It looks really good, and I don't impress as easily as I used to. (you have to say "Magic" at least twice to really impress me now. ) But really you do beautiful work. God Bless Steve |
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sdgiu Elite user The Boonies, NC 456 Posts |
Thanks Michael,
The more people that remember it the better the chances are of that being the right book. Thanks for the encouragement. God Bless Steve |
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sdgiu Elite user The Boonies, NC 456 Posts |
Thanks, Dr Solar.
Whenever you can get to it will be great: I've waited this long, a little while longer will hurt nothing, and MagicJohn's site really does look good. God Bless Steve |
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