Featuring the unique "ScienceToday" monthly magazine published by Times of India, during 1966-1991.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Simple to Complex





ST has not been focusing on any specific area. It covered many many areas of Science and Technology.
From poor man's "daily science" to the researcher's "hot, sophisticated and complex" subjects. 
Please see the clips.
The article on electric lighter explains how and what of it very well.
Energy has always been a hot topic in ST. Hydel power has been very well addressed.
The photograph of an antenna erection at TIFR ! Remember, those things were not advanced as they are today !
Who won't be interested in a sweet and tasty article like "All about Mangoes".

Fibres, Optical illusion, ..





Hai all,
Last day, I started seraching for ( that's what research is , isn't it ? ) the topic "sex" and "pornography".  I shall present you what I am finding.
But now, let me tell you that I have come across many interesting subjects. To mention a few, topics like : FRP, Optical illusion, .... , Einstein, .... Powder metallurgy, .... what not !!
Please see some of the snaps .

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Advertisements







Hai all,
Did you see my posts quoting some advertisemnts in ST ?
Here are a few more advertisements. They are from some of the prestigious PSUs.
IIT, HAL, etc..
And a few other interesting ones too..

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Sex

Oh,  Did you expect something of this kind here ?
To be frank, I've not searched for anything on SEX in ST. Ok, let me try what ST did say about sex.
I hope that would be interesting and thought provoking !! What else ?
Please await my reasearch.
Prasanna

Energy- thoughts on



Energy is a topic of serious concern for the humankind. When are we drying up the energy sources?  ST says the sources are plenty and endless. Its upto the Scientists and Technologists to identify and find ways of tapping them for use.
Please see two snippets from ST.
 

Cartoons







Hi all,
Here are two cartoons appeared in St during 1967
Please look, think, and enjoy !!
Prasanna

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Problem solver. Are you ?





ST is very interesting to everyone. Why ?

It had articles of interest to everyone. See the pictures above. It gives a self -assessment questionnaire as to whether you are a problem solver or not ?
Try yourself.

Prasanna

Monday, February 18, 2008

Dr.Salim Ali


ST had, at many occassions, covered Ornithology, and Dr.Salim Ali in particular.
Here is a clip on Dr. Salim Ali, in an issue of 1967.

"Radio Engineering", ICS, BIET




Hi all,
Remember, I had told you regarding the distance education premier - B I E T.
They had many courses covering Electronics practicals !! They had "Radio Engineering", which taught
one to make a Radio as well. 
Please see the snippet from their advertisemnt in ST.
My references won't be complete unless I tell you about the ICS too.
International Correspondence Schools ( British based, I think) also offered a wide range of subjects to study by "correspondence". Is this Institute still on ?  I 've yet to checkout that. If you have any info, please share it on this page.
Thanks
Prasanna

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Delhi, Cycles, 1966


And now, let's talk about Delhi.
I haven't seen our capital Delhi. I don't know when I will ! But I do see Delhi almost everyday; the TV channels show me Delhi well. 
{ Well ? I don't know !  Some of you please tell me how good is Delhi, and how well do 
these guys show me Delhi ! }

That's not the point now. I'll show you below, a graphic of a Delhi scene in 1966. Please read the caption.
Can you please tell me how many cycles are there in Delhi today ?  Must be many millions.
Or, should I ask you : How many vehicles { trucks /  cars / autos / 2 wheelers } are there in Delhi today ?

Do someone seriously take cycles these days ? I hope someone is !

But, I don't have a cycle !

Distance Education


Hi all,
Today, "education without attending schools/colleges" is a common method. We call it "Distance education", relatively a new terminology.
But, I would like to bring to your notice that distance education ( on various subjects and courses) was available in India even during 1960s ( as I know it, from Science Today, and magazines like, the then  "Illustrated Weekly of India" ).
The pioneer in this field was (is ? )  "British Institute of Engineering Technology", Bombay. 
I'll show you the graphic of an advertisement of BIET. This used to be there in ST, regularly.
I personally know ( and studied) that the courses offered by them  were really excellent;  very good course materials ( including text books) and excellant follow up methods. What they offered was known as "Correspondence courses" or "postal courses" .

I understand that BIET is active even now ( but I don't see any advts !), inspite of the numerous distance education programmes offered by most of the Indian Universities, and other private organisations. ( IGNOU is the leader in this field).

Space - towards a better life




Now, I would like to tell you about "Space Technology".  Not about the present "Space", but
about how the Space technology was, during 1966/67. 
Have you heard about Dr. P R Pisharody ,  the great Scientist ?  For those who are interested, if required, I can post additional information about this great
personality.  A very very simple person, but with very very high thoughts and knowledge. 

There is an article by this noble person on "Space- towards a better life '" Please see the graphic.
Please also have a look at the article on Space Science at China and Japan, the new-comers during the 1960s.
make a comparison of the technology levels ! How interesting !
Prasanna

Click a moment


Another one too !
See the Agfa ClickIII camera advertisement. ClickIII  was "the camera" of those times. 
{ New generation may not know this.
  You all know about 7 Megapixel digital cameras !! )
Just click a moment, and post your comments.
Prasanna

Advertisements



Hi all,
I don't have to tell you about advertisements; What they do, and how they influence us. However, I am sure you would appreciate looking at some of the old advertisements.
Science Today carried advertisements too. Advertisements of varied sorts; from consumer goods to Engineering goods and services to High tech products to .... many things !
Let me show you advertisemnts of "Coca Cola" and "Fanta", appeared in ST (of 1966/68 period).
Again, Feel like commenting ? Are you sure "things go better with this ? If so, Please pour yourself a happy day and post your comments.
Thanks
Prasanna

Science is entertaining



Good morning everybody ...
Let me start off with a bit of entertainment.
You are aware that ST carried very interesting, thought provoking, and humourous cartoons, in most of its  issues. Here are two of them. Please have a look. 
Feels like to comment ?
Please post your comments.
Have a nice day.
Prasanna

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Kumbhakarna !

Hai  all ,
None of you asked me the following.
"Where were you Prasanna for all these three months ? "
"You promised a daily (or weekly !) post here. But why are you so irresponsible to your readers ?"
"What the the hell were you doing all this time ?"
"......"
"........."
"..........................................     ...............   ....                     "

If none of you ask me these questions, I 'll ask myself.  And, my answer is ....
I was with my students for the last few weeks.  I could not write or visit the Blogger.  Ofcourse, these are lame excuses (as is clear !) , I know. But it so happened. My visitors would have left me . But, kindly permit me to say a big "SORRY".
I shall try my best to keep a weekly schedule for posts. I shall not be a Kumbhakarna ! !
Thank you & Wishing you all the best. Please comeback for a daily visit here.
Prasanna