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Building a Telegraph Using Only Stone Age Materials

MMBK writes "It's the ultimate salvagepunk experiment, building a telegraph out of things found in the woods. From the article: 'During the summer of 2009, artist Jamie O’Shea of the organization Substitute Materials set out to test whether or not electronic communication could have been built at any time in history with the proper knowledge, and with only tools and materials found in the wilderness of New Jersey.'"

12 of 238 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Next up: a computer by martin-boundary · · Score: 2, Funny
    $ make -f computer.mak
    bash: make: command not found

    D'OH!

  2. Re:Next up: a computer by maxwell+demon · · Score: 2, Funny
    --
    The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
  3. Re:Disappointing Video by DamienRBlack · · Score: 2, Funny

    I was expecting, and would be much more interested, in seeing documentation on how to build a telegraph using basic midievil technology (i.e. assuming the existence of metal tools, furnaces, and animal/water-powered machines)

    You're right, midi was evil. I sincerely hope no human ever has to return to evil midi technology to make anything.

  4. duh by formfeed · · Score: 4, Funny

    materials found in the wilderness of New Jersey

    The keyword here is New Jersey
    You could probably build a nuclear reactor out of "materials found in the wilderness of New Jersey".

  5. I call bullshit by damn_registrars · · Score: 2, Funny

    the wilderness of New Jersey

    We all know there is no such place.

    --
    Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
  6. Re:Disappointing Video by Nursie · · Score: 2, Funny

    Street Gangs vs. Angry Farmers.

    I'd pay to see that movie!

  7. Re:Knowledge by Hognoxious · · Score: 4, Funny

    All that knowledge would be second nature to cavemen, like the options of ls are to us.

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  8. Re:Disappointing Video by Hognoxious · · Score: 2, Funny

    The pirates would hold the balance of power.

    Or maybe the balance of powaaaaargh.

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  9. Re:Disappointing Video by Hognoxious · · Score: 3, Funny

    *someone* will be selling a used hammer on the market for some food.

    1a) Give food
    1b) Get hammer.
    2) Hit new owner of food over head. With your new hammer.
    3) ....
    4) Dinner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  10. Re:Knowledge by muckracer · · Score: 2, Funny

    You're right, but when placed in a situation where cavemen skills are needed you'll encounter the following:

    $ make fire
    make: *** No rule to make target `fire'. Stop.

  11. Re:Disappointing Video by zacronos · · Score: 2, Funny

    You mean kinda like this?

  12. Re:Disappointing Video by FauxReal · · Score: 3, Funny

    *someone* will be selling a used hammer on the market for some food.

    1a) Give food 1b) Get hammer. 2) Hit new owner of food over head. With your new hammer. 3) .... 4) Dinner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Yes, and you can save the food for when you really need it!