The Computer-free Automation of a Jukebox (Electromechanics)
Why Hacker News recommends it
Recommended as an eye-opening look at pre-computer automation and relay logic.
What it is
Technology Connections takes apart a 1970 Wurlitzer 3400 jukebox to show how electromechanical relays and switches automated its behavior without a computer.
Recommended by 2 HN commenters across 2 different months, 2020 to 2021.
What Hacker News said
Strong rec milofeynman · 2020-07 · on “The Classic Sunbeam Radiant Control Toaster (2006)”
This video made me aware of his channel a few months back and I've been hooked. I really enjoyed the multi-part one where he explained the inner workings of a jukebox[0] [0] [this video]
Recommends lathiat · 2020-04 · on “Hardware Microphone Disconnect in Mac and iPad”
The computer free automation of a jukebox from the 1970s is an eye opener: (an in depth teardown and explanation) [this video]
Cites eru · 2021-06 · on “Doom Running on an IKEA Lamp [video]”
By today's standard Doom doesn't need much processing power. You could probably find exactly the right chip that only has exactly just as many bits of RAM as you need for the lamp's functionality. But that would probably be more expensive to develop and chip than just using standard parts? Even more radical: I suspect with a bit of cleverness you could probably do everything the lamp needs to do with some relays and transistors. But today, that would be more expensive. Compare [this video] for the latter approach.