Aircraft Detection Prior to the Invention of Radar
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Beginning in the middle of the 1930s, engineering labs in the U.S. and
Europe were experimenting with radar systems. Early radars did not have the slick plan position indicator
(PPI) displays that modern systems use for plotting target movement for indication of azimuth (direction)
and range (distance). Instead, oscilloscopes showed radar returns as amplitude blips along a time base
that represented range. Azimuth was determined by where the operator pointed the antenna (rotating versions
came later). Since radar cross section stealth technology had not been invented yet, the amplitude
of the signal was useful a measure of the size of the target.
Prior to the invention of radar
(RAdio Detection And Ranging), other means were needed to detect approaching aircraft during times of
war. Human spotters were often posted in open fields, tall building rooftops, shorelines, and hills
in order to provide a measure of warning against approaching enemy aircraft (acoustic defense). Effectiveness
was dependent on many parameters like quality of eyesight, hearing and alertness of the observers, atmosphere
transparency (visibility), light level, aircraft size, configuration, color and noise level, etc. Even
under ideal conditions detected aircraft would be no more than a few minutes away from the observer,
so that did not leave a lot of time to prepare a response. Observer networks were set up as far in advance
of key targets as possible through a radio relay network, but it left a lot to be desired.
That's
where the strange, often Dr. Seuss-looking listening devices shown below were designed and employed
to aid the observers. These photos are all over the Internet, so I do not know their origins. I will
be glad to credit the true owner(s) if contacted, and will provide a hyperlink to the originals. Thanks
to Bob D. for letting me know about them.
 Compliments of Dr. Seuss |
 Didn't I see an ad for this in the back of Popular Science? |
 An alt-az mount - impressive! |
 Modified cheerleader megaphones |
 Also useful for listening to avian mating rituals |
 OK, this one has to be a joke |
 Dr.
Seuss again |
 This concept was later used as an inspiration for the Ferris
wheel |
 Achtung! Wir hören können alles, was sie sagen. |
The douglas-self.com
web page link was sent to me after posting these pictures. It has more information on these pictures.
You'll probably enjoy perusing some of the other topics he has as well.
Here is a page on
early radar development.
See the Homemade Plane Detector article from the May 1942 Popular Science magazine.
These images have been chosen for their uniqueness. Subject matter ranges from historic events, to really cool phenomena in science and engineering,
to relevant place, to ingenious contraptions, to interesting products (which now has its own dedicated
Featured Product category).
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Copyright: 1996 - 2024 Webmaster:
Kirt Blattenberger, BSEE - KB3UON |
RF Cafe began life in 1996 as "RF Tools" in an AOL screen name web space totaling
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