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Secret Agent Maxwell Smart's "Cone of Silence"

108.34.204.30

Please bear with me, there is a method to my madness!

When I was a kid, we all laughed at Secret Agent Maxwell Smart's "Cone of Silence." The fact that my mother's brother was a huge big shot in the CIA had nothing to do with it, I am sure.

View YouTube Video

What made me think of the "Cone of Silence" was the fact that Jerry Bruck's "Tetrahedral Ambiophonic" surround-sound mic array measured 1 meter on each edge. So, my guess is (I can't do spherical solid geometry) that Jerry's mic array would fit in a hemisphere with a radius of about 16 inches and a width of about 32 inches, which is the usual width of an interior door.

Hmmm... I thought. The "Cone of Silence"!

I then refreshed previous product research a bit, and I think I have come up with the least-expensive way possible to play back Jerry's Horenstein/LOS Mahler 3 tapes as he intended. Buy two of Parts Express's "Copperhead" self-powered 2.1-channel desktop sound system kits. That gives you four small full-range active loudspeakers and two powered subwoofers. Total cost under $600.

All you then need is a skeletal wooden framework to position the loudspeakers, and then some means of support or suspension. Which is to say, you do not need an acrylic hemisphere!!!

I hope somebody tries this one, or, improves upon my design, but while still keeping the price reasonable.

john

https://www.parts-express.com/Copperhead-with-Subwoofer-2.1- (Open in New Window)

Follow Ups:

Tennessee Tuxedo and Inspector Gadget - Luminator 08:03:06 03/22/24 (1)
Growing up in the 80s, we saw the cartoons, Tennessee Tuxedo and Inspector Gadget. Don Adams was a voice actor, and that's how we backed into Get Smart. However, by this time, TV stations weren't airing too many Get Smart episodes. Nevertheless, a lot of boys had a crush on Agent 99.
- Wowsers, Penny! and Go Go Gadget Copter! Classic cartoon along - oldmkvi 07:19:34 03/28/24 (0)
  with Beatlejuice, no, I don't know how to spell it.
  The Abusement Park was a personal Fav.
RE: Secret Agent Maxwell Smart's "Cone of Silence" - Analog Scott 18:08:53 03/21/24 (5)
Great show. 60s sit com at it's best.

I think a cone of silence may be dropping on my head shortly.
- Well, my mother's brother was a big shot in the CIA - John Marks 04:53:02 03/22/24 (4)
  He had been in charge of training for the Bay of Pigs.
  
  The CIA paid for one room of his house to be made secure to hold secret documents and to avoid electronic eavesdropping.
  
  Of course, we referred to it as his Room of Silence.
  
  I just commented on your post in General.
  
  john
  - RE: Well, my mother's brother was a big shot in the CIA - 13th Duke of Wymbourne 11:24:44 03/27/24 (3)
    Reminds me of a story told by TV fashion personality Tim Gunn. His father worked at the FBI and became J. Edgar Hoover's speech writer. One Saturday his father had to go into the office and young Tim went with him. While there, his father asked him if he'd like to meet actress Vivian Vance (from I Love Lucy) and they went into Hoover's office to meet her but J. Edgar wasn't there. Years later, after Hoover's cross-dressing proclivities became known Tim realized it likely wasn't Vivian Vance he met. He asked the FBI about visitor records and there is no record of Vivian Vance ever being in the building.
    - heard him tell that tale on "Wait, Wait" a few years back (nt) - mhardy6647 18:22:48 03/27/24 (0)
      nt
      all the best,
      mrh
    - RE: Well, my mother's brother was a big shot in the CIA - Story 11:31:19 03/27/24 (1)
      you learn something new every day, damn.
      - Jesus, Mary, and Joseph... - John Marks 15:40:55 03/27/24 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Well, my mother's brother was a big shot in the CIA posted by Story on March 27, 2024 at 11:31:19
        
        View YouTube Video
        
        Hoover was sicker than I ever dreamed.
        He always chased imaginary Commies, while the Mafia paid for his and his boyfriend's gambling jaunts.
        Living in a Babylon, is all I can say, mon.
        john
        
        Edits: 03/27/24

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