Conversations in libraries can be deadly for productivity...
...but conversations in libraries about photocopiers can trigger waves of geeky nostalgia.
In the late '80s and early '90s there was a little gem of a half hour television programme broadcast on Channel 4 called The Secret Life of Machines. Presented by Tim Hunkin, who I trust won't object to me stereotyping as resembling the epitome of what a mad scientist should look like, it was essential viewing.
And it's all online! Including the wacky cartoons and animations!
Start here, and lose yourself in the hidden histories and remarkable untold tales of commonplace devices (including the photocopier):
http://www.secretlifeofmachines.com/index.shtml
(Individual episodes are available via Google video, or can be viewed or downloaded for free from here, in a variety of formats: http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/SLOM/)
In the late '80s and early '90s there was a little gem of a half hour television programme broadcast on Channel 4 called The Secret Life of Machines. Presented by Tim Hunkin, who I trust won't object to me stereotyping as resembling the epitome of what a mad scientist should look like, it was essential viewing.
And it's all online! Including the wacky cartoons and animations!
Start here, and lose yourself in the hidden histories and remarkable untold tales of commonplace devices (including the photocopier):
http://www.secretlifeofmachines.com/index.shtml
(Individual episodes are available via Google video, or can be viewed or downloaded for free from here, in a variety of formats: http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/SLOM/)