Re: send humans to Titan, it isn't a question of physics, it's a question of time, technology and commitment

"Stephen Harding"  wrote in message news:[email protected]...

On 8/11/26 9:04 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:
> ...The phone system still accepts mechanical rotary dialing.

I have an old phone with separate speaker and receiver (like in the
1920s and 30's).  It has no rotary dial to dial a number.  You just used
to have to hit the interrupt a few times to get "Martha" the switchboard
operator, to place the call number you wanted.

I was able to use it when I hooked it up to my old computer that had
dial capability (when you had to dial up the modem to contact to
whomever) and the call would be completed.

People said I sounded like I was talking in a tunnel, which I sort of
was (the speaker of the phone with the big cup to capture your voice).

Old technology working on more modern infrastructure.

Not sure you can do that any more.  Probably can add rotary dialing app
to your computer but who would want to?

SMH

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strowger_switch
I took a night class in the telephone system, including cellular. The 
instructor said the wife of the town's other undertaker was the phone 
operator.

The Japanese used a stepping relay module from the phone switching system in 
their diplomatic secret code machine. Without ever seeing one the American 
assigned to build a test version happened to choose the same device.
https://www.nsa.gov/history/national-cryptologic-museum/exhibits-artifacts/exhibit-view/article/2718925/the-magic-of-purple/

The Washington Naval Treaty of 1922 allowed Japan 3/5ths as many battleships 
as the US because we had broken the coded message to the negotiator that set 
that minimum. They assumed half our force would be in the Atlantic and they 
would still have an initial advantage.