Got My Book Today...
- Thread starter Ken
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im_alan_partridge
Member (SA)
Ive at last got my but into gear and got my copy today.
Firstly I've been avoiding this thread for over 2 years so had no idea of the content, well I was blown away to see pictures of actual boxes owned by members here. Also written contributions and acknowlegdements from and to members, wow.
I love the industrial style of lyles photos mixed with old pics from the street, some from the UK.
Loads of great stuff in there to read for culture and hardware history alike. This book will keep me busy for a while, why did it take me so long to get a copy.
Firstly I've been avoiding this thread for over 2 years so had no idea of the content, well I was blown away to see pictures of actual boxes owned by members here. Also written contributions and acknowlegdements from and to members, wow.
I love the industrial style of lyles photos mixed with old pics from the street, some from the UK.
Loads of great stuff in there to read for culture and hardware history alike. This book will keep me busy for a while, why did it take me so long to get a copy.
=ml=
Member (SA)
I figured this would be a good place to post this idea; if Lyle visits the forum he might see it here. I'll also send him the idea but wanted to put it down while it's fresh.
Seeing and hearing so many different blasters at Chris' mini meet got me thinking...
Lyle's book tells an amazing story of the collector community and social impact of boomboxes - but there's another story that needs to be told and time is running out.
Who is the Dieter Rams of JVC/Victor? Who is the Jonathan Ive of Sharp? Who are the Charles and Ray Eames of Conion (Coney + Onkyo)?
These remarkable, complex machines did not emerge ex nihilo; countless hours of design and engineering went into each and every one. Unsung teams of men and women devoted their imagination and creativity to making the devices we know and love, look and perform the way they do.
The next chapter of the Boombox Project should be tracking down the people that designed and engineered the machines and telling the story of their creation.
* Why does the 777 look and sound the way it does and why so many similar looking variations?
* Who designed the look of the C100F?
* Who took the bold leap to create the 550, the first street-bred boombox?
* What was the design philosphy of "upside down" boxes like the RX 7200?
These and many other questions could be answered by the engineers, designers and marketers of the machines. Many of the team members are probably no longer with us, but I'm sure there are still a few around that could answer these and many more questions.
A relatively easy starting point for this project is Lasonic in Southern California - the last standing old-school-styled boombox manufacturer. Chris and I have been there (and Hugo too, several years before us, I discovered) and I'm sure they would participate in a project like this.
So there it is. I'm going to send it to Lyle and see what happens.
Go!
=ml=
Seeing and hearing so many different blasters at Chris' mini meet got me thinking...
Lyle's book tells an amazing story of the collector community and social impact of boomboxes - but there's another story that needs to be told and time is running out.
Who is the Dieter Rams of JVC/Victor? Who is the Jonathan Ive of Sharp? Who are the Charles and Ray Eames of Conion (Coney + Onkyo)?
These remarkable, complex machines did not emerge ex nihilo; countless hours of design and engineering went into each and every one. Unsung teams of men and women devoted their imagination and creativity to making the devices we know and love, look and perform the way they do.
The next chapter of the Boombox Project should be tracking down the people that designed and engineered the machines and telling the story of their creation.
* Why does the 777 look and sound the way it does and why so many similar looking variations?
* Who designed the look of the C100F?
* Who took the bold leap to create the 550, the first street-bred boombox?
* What was the design philosphy of "upside down" boxes like the RX 7200?
These and many other questions could be answered by the engineers, designers and marketers of the machines. Many of the team members are probably no longer with us, but I'm sure there are still a few around that could answer these and many more questions.
A relatively easy starting point for this project is Lasonic in Southern California - the last standing old-school-styled boombox manufacturer. Chris and I have been there (and Hugo too, several years before us, I discovered) and I'm sure they would participate in a project like this.
So there it is. I'm going to send it to Lyle and see what happens.
Go!
=ml=
I've often wondered why we never hear anything from the old engineers and designers.
Lasonic TRC-920
Moderator
Miles, remember when we went to Lasonic. I said I wanted to meet the Father and Grand Father, both who brought the company to the US and who evolved the company from an appliance company making table top fan's to making boomboxes.
I think it would be an awesome idea for sure!
I think it would be an awesome idea for sure!
=ml=
Member (SA)
Miles, remember when we went to Lasonic. I said I wanted to meet the Father and Grand Father, both who brought the company to the US and who evolved the company from an appliance company making table top fan's to making boomboxes.
I think it would be an awesome idea for sure!
That 's right!
Have you talked to anyone at Lasonic further about a meeting/interview?
IIRC, there was a mention of some sort of film crew going out there. Wonder what happened with that?
Go!
=ml=
I think it would be an awesome idea for sure!
That 's right!
Have you talked to anyone at Lasonic further about a meeting/interview?
IIRC, there was a mention of some sort of film crew going out there. Wonder what happened with that?
Go!
=ml=
Lasonic TRC-920
Moderator
Miles, remember when we went to Lasonic. I said I wanted to meet the Father and Grand Father, both who brought the company to the US and who evolved the company from an appliance company making table top fan's to making boomboxes.
I think it would be an awesome idea for sure!
That 's right!
Have you talked to anyone at Lasonic further about a meeting/interview?
IIRC, there was a mention of some sort of film crew going out there. Wonder what happened with that?
Go!
=ml=
I have not spoken to them about it, I wanted to go in on the premise of buying another radio to get my foot in the door. I just have to get the money together, but got so much going on.
Do you remember the grandson's name?
I think it would be an awesome idea for sure!
That 's right!
Have you talked to anyone at Lasonic further about a meeting/interview?
IIRC, there was a mention of some sort of film crew going out there. Wonder what happened with that?
Go!
=ml=
I have not spoken to them about it, I wanted to go in on the premise of buying another radio to get my foot in the door. I just have to get the money together, but got so much going on.
Do you remember the grandson's name?
=ml=
Member (SA)
I sent snail-mail to Lyle suggesting this; haven't heard back from him.THAFUZZ said:This should be very interesting. So, who's gonna follow up on the other guys?
Seeing as most boomboxes were designed in Japan, and Lyle has contacts there, it seems as if he and the folks at Turbosonic could make this happen. If I don't hear back from Lyle, maybe I'll try to make it happen with a little help from Indiegogo!
Go!
=ml=
Gluecifer
Member (SA)
If you guys are serious about this it's something you/we need to begin researching NOW.
A lot of those designers would be in their 70s or 80s now and some of them have would have
already passed away.
When anyone dies in these kinds of fields it makes research much, much harder.
I'd be quite happy to get on board with this, I've researched history for myself and for others
with pretty regular success, but this is something that needs to be formed into a real project
with a web presence and a bunch of people over the planet following up on things.
I'll definitely put my hand for one.
Rock On.
A lot of those designers would be in their 70s or 80s now and some of them have would have
already passed away.
When anyone dies in these kinds of fields it makes research much, much harder.
I'd be quite happy to get on board with this, I've researched history for myself and for others
with pretty regular success, but this is something that needs to be formed into a real project
with a web presence and a bunch of people over the planet following up on things.
I'll definitely put my hand for one.
Rock On.
=ml=
Member (SA)
Boombox Creators Project thread moved here: https://boomboxery.com/forum/index.php?/topic/18651-boombox-creators-project/
Go!
=ml=
Go!
=ml=
mellymelsr
Member (SA)
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