#65) A New Librascope Blog Format For Your Smartphone

Librascope News Blog on an iPhone 4

Up until now, when the Librascope Memories - News Blog was viewed on a smartphone such as an iPhone, the information was too small to read or control comfortably.

Now, a new reformatted blog design is available for smartphones (and iPod Touches), which has been considerably improved for accessability. If you already have the Librascope Blog bookmarked, it should automatically convert over to the new format the next time you view it. The new format is shown here on an iPhone 4. You will note that the text is much larger than before. Blog posts are viewed by simply scrolling downward, and selecting the ones to be read.

If you don't already have the Librascope Memories - News Blog on your smartphone, just bookmark: www.librascopememories.blogspot.com in your browser and you'll be done. Note, on most smartphones today, you can also elect to have a dedicated bookmark icon placed on your "Home Screen" and labeled "Librascope Blog". Finally, I should mention that for those who may wish to return to the old format temporarily, there is a "web version" link provided at the bottom of each page.

#64) Oxman's Surplus, Inc. - 51 years in Santa Fe Springs, CA

Did you know there is still an old time war surplus store/museum operating for profit in Southern California? It's run by its 96 year old founder and his family. Earlier this year, Libravet Stan Bucklien sent me a copy of an LA Times article describing the place, which was then celebrating its 50th anniversary. Click here to read the very interesting story (less photos) that Stan found.

According to the newspaper article, one of the items in the museum's collection is a Librascope B-17 Balance Computer from WWII. If you'd like to visit, Oxman's is located at:

14128 E. Rosecrans Ave.
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
1-562-921-1106
1-888-569-6257
Hours, etc. are posted on Oxman's website at - click here.

#63) Librascope Mk 13 Mod 0 Angle Solver - RFI

The following e-mail was recently received from a new subscriber to this Blog that I did not recognize:

Carl

The reason you do not have my email in your database is because I was never connected to Librascope. I subscribed so that I might be able to find out some information about a Librascope item I have in my collection . Perhaps you can help me find out the history and purpose of this creation.

What I have is an Angle Solver MK13 MOD 0, Serial Number 2. It also has a tag above this stating "Prototype". The unit weighs 984 pounds and I bought it from a person in Norfolk, Virginia who evidently bought it surplus from the government. The unit is set up for a motor torpedo boat. What I would like to find out is why it was made, and if any documents still exist that might show how to take the unit apart as the dials need some work because of some surface rust plus some of the wheels do not turn as freely as they should. I would be happy to send you pictures of the unit if that would help.

I thank you for any help you can render about this unit.

Richard Dembinski 

I Googled "Angle Solver" for Richard, and found an interesting writeup on Wikipedia that may be of interest. Click here. I have asked  Richard to send me a photo of his unit to post on this Blog. In the meantime, if you have any information or questions for Richard, please e-mail me and I will forward them to him.

#62) In Memoriam - Ronald L. Norton

Ron Norton - 1982

The following obituary was received recently from Ron's wife Nancee:

Ronald L. Norton, age 78, passed away peacefully at home on April 4, 2012 with his loving wife at his side. Fortunately his courageous struggle with cancer was short and relatively pain free.

Ron was born and raised in Southern California. He graduated from Mt. Carmel Catholic High School. He loved his Country and proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1953 to 1957. He joined Librascope in 1967 where he retired as a Provisioning Support Engineer in 1992. Ron also loved the outdoors. He loved to tell stories about backpacking and fishing in the Sierras with his three daughters and his dog Grenny.

In 1980 Ron met and married his wife Nancee. Their friendship and love was strong and true until he took his last breath with her at his side. When they moved from Southern California to Pocatello, Idaho in 1993, it made life perfect. 

Ron leaves behind his wife Nancee, his two loving and devoted friends Mark Samuelson and Linda Smith, his three daughters, Christianne, Gabrielle, Danielle and his loyal and now lonely pups, Hooch and Murphy.

The family wants to thank all our friends and family, both near and far, who have been so supportive and the wonderful caregivers who did so much to make him comfortable from the time this whole ordeal began a little over two months ago. A special thanks to our angels at Creekside Home Health and Hospice. To our Niki, our Toni, our Brandie, our Kara and especially Susan, Thank You so much. We would have been lost without you.

At Ron’s emphatic request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. He will be cremated and come back home. Instead of flowers, a donation to the Pocatello, Idaho Animal Shelter would make him smile.

#61) John Brower Passed Away

Terri Brower reports that Jonn Brower passed away on April 1, 2012 in the state of Washington. Don Tubbs worked with John in the Design Department for many years. Further information is not available.

#60) A Response to the "Building 28" Bar Question - Post #57

Jim Conway, formerly listed on "Currently Lost Libravets" (click here), recently wrote us:

I worked at Librascope from 1957 until 1964. I was fortunate to have one of the best bosses, Lane Wolman, I ever worked for. I started at Librascope after graduating from UCLA, and I left to join Scientific Data Systems which was later purchased by Xerox.

As to "Building 28", it was actually called "Ken and Rod's", and it was located off of San Fernando Road. It was known for its cheap draft beer, hamburgers, and chili. There were baskets of peanuts to go with the draft beer, and the floor was covered with peanut shells. They also cashed checks on pay day.

We had many engineering meetings at Building 28!

Where do I register as a Librascope alumni?
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#59) Mel Kaye, Legendary LGP-30 Programmer -

Anthony Cuozzo, a young (non-Libravet) defense industry programmer recently contacted me to request information about a Libravet. Anthony is a big admirer of the programming work Mel Kaye did on the LGP-30 during the 1950's. Mel's work is legendary and has been documented on the Internet. See "The Story of Mel" (click here), and the Wikipedia (click here). Note, Mel worked on the LGP-30 at Libascope in the 1950's prior to his work for Royal McBee. An LGP-30 story on the front page of the August, 1956 Librazette (click here) mentions Mel, and tells of the transfer of certain responsibilities to Royal-McBee, one of Librascope's sister divisions.

If possible, Anthony would like very much to interview Mel in person, but would also like to communicate with anyone that knew Mel or knows of his work. Anthony has been doing this research for the past four years and assures me his motivation is entirely altruistic, since he believes his work will further enrich the programming community.

If you can help Anthony in any way, please leave a comment below or send me an e-mail and I will forward it to him.
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