Yesterday
they even incluided schematics inside of it...It was VERY
common in TV Sets...
I remember the user manual for one of my FM radio tuners. The
first page
tells you how to tune it correctly (how to interpret the tuning indicator,
etc). The next secion covers RF and IF alingment (It requires a
double-beam 'scope and an accurate RF signal generator, things that were
not at all commonly owned at the time. But it still gives them). Then
photographs of the chassis. Then parts lists. And finally a schematic.
For all it's valved with 300V HT (B+), there are no stupid safety
warnings.
I'm no North-American, but I'll tell what I think that is wrong: America
(and other parts of world) are drifting from a knowledge-based society to a
my-gadget-is-more-expensive-than-yours society.
I've heard stories of
- Scouts
- People who were incentivated to become a ham radio operator
- People who had mechanics and woodworking classes on the school
- Many do-it-yourself magazines and books
- home-made devices (very complicated ones.
Now I hear stories of:
- New cellular phones
- New MPxxxxx devices
- New netbooks
- New gadgets
- New expensive things
- Not being able to DIY
I think the clever society is getting burned down as we know it :(
Sad,
Alexandre