Showing posts with label telecommunications. Show all posts
Showing posts with label telecommunications. Show all posts

Friday, March 31, 2023

Yes, there were glass insulators along telegraph lines

"Long before the modern era of computers, cellphones, smartphones, fiber-optic cables and the internet, long distance electric/electronic communication consisted primarily of the telegraph and telephone.   The electric telegraph (in the United States) was developed by Samuel Morse in 1837, and the first message was sent by Morse in 1838. The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876.

As time went on, networks of “open wire” telegraph lines, and later, telephone lines, were developed and built throughout the country, and these lines required the installation of insulators.  Insulators were necessary by serving as a medium for attaching the wires to the poles, but much more importantly, they were required to help prevent electric current loss during transmission. The material, glass, is itself an insulator (not a “conductor” or “transformer” as insulators are often incorrectly labeled in antique malls and flea markets).

Both glass and porcelain insulators have been used since the early days of the telegraph, but glass insulators were generally less expensive than porcelain, and were normally used for lower-voltage applications. The oldest glass insulators date from about 1846.'

Found somewhere along the SNETT trail

Yes, there were glass insulators along telegraph lines
Yes, there were glass insulators along telegraph lines

Thursday, February 25, 2021

FM #470 - Interview with State Rep Jeff Roy - 02/22/21 (audio)

FM #470 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 470 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin’s State Representative Jeffrey Roy. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 
  • Indoor riding to prepare for his 19th PanMass Challenge
  • Thursday night continues COVID-19 modified rehearsal with Ben Gardner’s Boat 
  • Outlook for 2021
  • Pandemic, vaccine, oversight of Gov Baker and pandemic process
  • Committee assignment: Joint Committee on Telecommunication, Utilities, and Energy
  • What bills did you Intro/or re-introduce for this session
Links to Jeff's personal web page as well as his Legislative pages are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 42 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jeff.  Audio file = 
https://player.captivate.fm/episode/c7fea725-a210-4022-8eeb-1024c04e576a


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Rep Roy’s State Legislator profile page which lists the bills he filed for the 192nd Session  https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/JNR1 

Rep Roy’s personal page  https://jeffreyroy.com/ 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
 
How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
  • If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
 
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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Rep Roy on his tour of UMass Medical in Nov 2019 as part of his visits to all 29 MA Commonwealth public colleges
Rep Roy on his tour of UMass Medical in Nov 2019 as part of his visits to all 29 MA Commonwealth public colleges

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Roy appointed Chair of Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy

State Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin) was named by House Speaker Ronald Mariano (D-Quincy) as the new House Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy. The committee considers all matters concerning the exploration, exploitation and development of energy sources, including the siting of energy facilities, public utilities, wind farms, and the bottle bill.

“It’s a great honor to have been chosen for this assignment,” noted Roy, who is serving his fifth term in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. “These are challenging times and the sustainability issues, including the climate crisis, energy needs, and pollution are top priorities. I am humbled and honored that the Speaker entrusted me with this leadership post to face these challenges and help build a sustainable future.”

In the last session, Roy chaired the Higher Education Committee and led efforts to address financial issues on our campuses with the enactment of an act to support improved financial stability (Chapter 113 of the Acts of 2019) and make them safer with the enactment of an act relative to sexual violence at colleges (Chapter 337 of the Acts of 2020).

He also served on the special commission studying veteran’s tuition and the Harm Reduction Commission which addressed prevention and access to appropriate care and treatment of addiction. In addition to those duties, he serves as the House Chair of the Manufacturing Caucus which promotes making it in Massachusetts.

State Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy
State Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy

During his years in office, Roy has also served as Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Finance, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Ethics, and as a member on the Committees on Ways and Means, Judiciary, Education, Mental Health, Substance Use, & Recovery, and Labor & Workforce Development.

Since 2013 Roy has been part of the legislative efforts that have addressed the issues of education, economic development, the coronavirus pandemic, health care, substance use disorder, criminal justice, veteran’s services, seniors, housing, tax relief, civil rights, social equity, gun safety, energy, and the environment.

Also appointed to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy were Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-N. Reading), and Reps. Dylan Fernandes (D-Falmouth), Joan Meschino (D-Hull), Jim Hawkins (D-Attleborough), David Robertson (D-Wilmington), Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose), Richard Haggerty (D-Woburn), Steven Owens (Watertown), and Len Mirra (R-Groveland).