‘Crystal Palace’ Capacitive Fader used in BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Made:
1966
"Crystal Palace" capacitive fader designed by Dave Young, 1967.  Front 3/4 view of whole object against graduated grey "Crystal Palace" capacitive fader designed by Dave Young, 1967.  Front 3/4 detail  view of object against black "Crystal Palace" capacitive fader designed by Dave Young, 1967.  Front 3/4 view of whole object against graduated grey "Crystal Palace" capacitive fader designed by Dave Young, 1967.  Front 3/4 view of whole object against graduated grey "Crystal Palace" capacitive fader designed by Dave Young, 1967.  Front 3/4 detail view of object against black

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"Crystal Palace" capacitive fader designed by Dave Young, 1967. Front 3/4 view of whole object against graduated grey
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

"Crystal Palace" capacitive fader designed by Dave Young, 1967. Front 3/4 detail view of object against black
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

"Crystal Palace" capacitive fader designed by Dave Young, 1967. Front 3/4 view of whole object against graduated grey
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

"Crystal Palace" capacitive fader designed by Dave Young, 1967. Front 3/4 view of whole object against graduated grey
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

"Crystal Palace" capacitive fader designed by Dave Young, 1967. Front 3/4 detail view of object against black
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

‘Crystal Palace’ capacitive fader designed by Dave Young. It was used in Brian Hodgson's music for 'The Machine Stops' in 1966.

In this device, an electric motor cannibalised from a variable-speed dictation machine turns a ‘capacitive’ vane. The vane is connected to the input of a FET amplifier via the gold nib of a Conway-Stewart fountain pen. There are a series of audio inputs and outputs wired within the unit which can be configured to produce different effects. Sixteen sounds could be smoothly combined using this device, opening up the possibility of rich sound montages.

Details

Category:
Television
Collection:
BBC Heritage Collection
Object Number:
2012-5118/242/9
Materials:
electrical components, plastic (unidentified) and steel (metal)
Measurements:
overall: 327 mm x 307 mm x 230 mm, 11.3 kg
type:
sound device
taxonomy:
  • furnishing and equipment