Historical Society shows off technologies of the past
NORWICH – The Chenango County Historical Society unveiled its latest featured exhibit earlier this month that commemorates Chenango County’s progression of electronics throughout the 20th century.
The exhibit, loaned by local retired electrician and Historical Society member Lane Anderson, features radios, televisions, telephones, and even some of the earliest model computers, among other assorted electronics that quickly became a way of life throughout the century. It’s a broad collection resulting from more than 45 years of working with and collecting electronic equipment, Anderson explained. Most of the display spans from the early 1900s to the mid 1950s, when electronics became a huge influence on young generations, he said.
Among his collection, Anderson also incorporated different hands-on educational displays demonstrating how electricity is generated and travels via wire to homes across the nation, and another display explaining how a landline telephone operates.
Not too often is the museum able to show off a hands-on exhibit like Anderson’s, according to Historical Society educator Sarah Mahan. The exhibit seems to be a hit so far, she added.
As a former business owner specializing in electronic services and repairs, Anderson has seen and acquired some of the oldest and most rare electronics used in the county, ranging from an early model telegraph to one of the first personal laptop computers. He recalled that his oldest radio took several years to refurbish – five years just to find the parts for it, he said.
“I’ve been a collector all my life,” he continued while showing off his stockpile of more than 200 pieces that include tombstone and cathedral radios, 50s-era television sets, and storefront advertisement displays from generations past.
Some items have been lucky finds at area auctions while others have been given to him over the years. Anderson has even been lucky enough to find a unique 1950s coin operated hospital bed radio, which was purchased for $1 at a local garage sale.
More impressive than the size of his collection is that many of the televisions and radios acquired over the years are still in working condition, though Anderson said he never made it a practice to refurbish the items in his own collection.
“One of the neat things about this display is that there are no two things that are exactly the same,” said Anderson. “I would hope that people can look at this and see what things were like long before cell phones,” he went on, referring to a “more simpler time when everything had to be invented and built.”
Anderson’s collection of electronics will be on display for the next six months at the Chenango County Historical Society on Rexford Street. For more information, call 334-9227 or visit chenangohistorical.org.
The exhibit, loaned by local retired electrician and Historical Society member Lane Anderson, features radios, televisions, telephones, and even some of the earliest model computers, among other assorted electronics that quickly became a way of life throughout the century. It’s a broad collection resulting from more than 45 years of working with and collecting electronic equipment, Anderson explained. Most of the display spans from the early 1900s to the mid 1950s, when electronics became a huge influence on young generations, he said.
Among his collection, Anderson also incorporated different hands-on educational displays demonstrating how electricity is generated and travels via wire to homes across the nation, and another display explaining how a landline telephone operates.
Not too often is the museum able to show off a hands-on exhibit like Anderson’s, according to Historical Society educator Sarah Mahan. The exhibit seems to be a hit so far, she added.
As a former business owner specializing in electronic services and repairs, Anderson has seen and acquired some of the oldest and most rare electronics used in the county, ranging from an early model telegraph to one of the first personal laptop computers. He recalled that his oldest radio took several years to refurbish – five years just to find the parts for it, he said.
“I’ve been a collector all my life,” he continued while showing off his stockpile of more than 200 pieces that include tombstone and cathedral radios, 50s-era television sets, and storefront advertisement displays from generations past.
Some items have been lucky finds at area auctions while others have been given to him over the years. Anderson has even been lucky enough to find a unique 1950s coin operated hospital bed radio, which was purchased for $1 at a local garage sale.
More impressive than the size of his collection is that many of the televisions and radios acquired over the years are still in working condition, though Anderson said he never made it a practice to refurbish the items in his own collection.
“One of the neat things about this display is that there are no two things that are exactly the same,” said Anderson. “I would hope that people can look at this and see what things were like long before cell phones,” he went on, referring to a “more simpler time when everything had to be invented and built.”
Anderson’s collection of electronics will be on display for the next six months at the Chenango County Historical Society on Rexford Street. For more information, call 334-9227 or visit chenangohistorical.org.
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