Aiken collection up on eBay
Last April, inspired by a scan on Modern Mechanix, I wrote this post about William Ross Aiken, who designed a workable flat-panel TV in 1958. Yesterday, I got an email from Aiken’s daughter, informing me that the inventor passed away in February, and she was putting his personal collection of electronic gear up for sale on eBay. According to Madaline Beeman, “I wish I had a reason to keep these things, but I have limited space, and lots of other memorabilia of him.” Beeman hopes that the gear will go to “someone who appreciates these things.” First up: a Jackson Tube tester with a starting bid of $40. I haven’t bid on it, but I’ll be keeping an eye on the rest of the Aiken collection, and may just pick something up, if only to honor the memory of an unheralded broadcast industry pioneer.
July 15th, 2008 11:05
Just a note, I am the person that bought this tester on e-bay in an auction. I fianlly got it up and running last night, and was testing tubes. It was SO COOL to be using this, knowing I was using a tool that a man with so much more knowledge about electronics and tubes than I could ever imagine knowing. I just felt like he was probably smiling down, seeing that someone cared enough to get something it appears he cared about working. (he had notes about when it had been calibrated, when the battery was replaced, etc.. The hand written notes included with it just really made this a special piece.
February 24th, 2009 10:22
Ross was my Great Uncle. I spent the summer, with he and his wife, at his cabin in Alpine California when I was 10 years old. I will never forget him. He was a remarkable man. When my grand parents first showed me an add in an old readers diagest showing his flat screened TV, I was amazed. I have told many people over the years about the verious inventions of my Great Uncle. Thank you for taking the time to post this information about him. Daron.