Astounding Stories of Super-Science January 1931 Read online

  THE "TELELUX"

  Sound and light were transformed into mechanical action at the banquetof the National Tool Exposition recently to illustrate theirpossibilities in regulating traffic, aiding the aviator, andperforming other automatic functions.

  A beam of light was thrown on the "eyes" of a mechanical contrivanceknown as the "telelux," a brother of the "televox," and as the lightwas thrown on and off it performed mechanical function such as turningan electric switch.

  The contrivance, which was developed by the Westinghouse Electric andManufacturing Company, utilizes two photo-electric cells, sensitive tothe light beam. One of the cells is a selector, which progressivelychooses any one of three operating circuits when light is thrown onit. The other cell is the operator, which opens or closes the chosencircuit, thus performing the desired function.

  S. M. Kintner, manager of the company's research department, who madethe demonstration, also threw music across the room on a beam oflight, and light was utilized in depicting the shape and direction ofstresses in mechanical materials.