Electronic Mystery Machine - What Does It Do?

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

To learn electronics in a very different and effective way, and gain access to Mr Carlson's personal designs and inventions, visit the Mr Carlson's Lab Patreon page here: www.patreon.com/MrCarlsonsLab

[@rusty1187]

Hi, Paul! Is there any chance you would ever do a video about your Dynaload? What it is, what it does, and how it works inside? Thanx, Rusty's Repairs

[@dosh2222]

It's 1938 Supreme Instruments Corp. Catalog Supreme 555 Diagnomoscope

[@nonsuch]

@@dosh2222 Indeed.

[@hugh007]

I was given that exact piece of gear by a friendly TV repairman when I was about 13 years old. Its a combination signal generator and scope to be used for sweep alignment of receivers. I got a hell of a burn from the CRT high volt transformer. I had forgotten about it. Thanks.

[@M10000]

It sounds like a lot of fun. Is it pre-war?

[@marlomontanaro3233]

HA! I knew it.

[@bandersentv]

@@M10000 Yes, 1938

[@MikinessAnalog]

@@bandersentv Taylor, Pearson and Carson the Alberta radio/electronics giant. Plus, fancy seeing you in the comments lol

[@mistahke]

Damn that Art Deco design screaming from every detail, every bezel decoration and knob... beautiful!

[@andymouse]

Yeah made me think of art deco posters of a train

[@MrCrystalcranium]

TV sweep generator and scope for IF alignments. Incredible piece. Please please please do a Paul Carson Restoration on it and use it to align a split sound TV from the late 1940s!!!!!!! Edit:Supreme 555 Diagnomoscope orig price $147.95!!!

[@bandersentv]

Nope, only goes up to 15MHz. Fine for radio, but not high enough for TV work. Typical split sound IF is 21.25MHz.

[@beyondmiddleagedman7240]

Good find! $147 in 1938! Pricey.

[@andymouse]

How wierd ! you spelled Pauls name without an 'L' just like on the invoice ! :)

[@JohnGraffius-tq4nw]

1938 Supreme Instruments Corp. Catalog Supreme 555 Diagnomoscope (Oscilloscope and Signal Generator Combination)

[@ChipGuy]

Wow so the original crt on the top was indeed a lot smaller.

[@jimthesoundman8641]

It's gear from the Cat Detector Van from the Ministry of Howzinge. Their equipment can pinpoint a purr at 400 yards. And Eric, being such a happy cat, was a piece of cake...

[@paulmurgatroyd6372]

I see what you did.

[@davidcottee2808]

It was spelt like that on the van.

[@Feslmogh]

You're a looney!

[@marlomontanaro3233]

I assure you, you do not need a fish license.

[@jimthesoundman8641]

@@marlomontanaro3233 Look, it's a bleeding pet, isn't it? I've got a license for me pet dog Eric, I've got a license for me pet cat Eric.

[@CyanTiger]

The closest thing I have found is the 1938 Supreme 555 Diagnomoscope. Thanks for sharing this!

[@BretFrohwein]

🤔 maybe a previous owner later retrofitted it with a larger CRT.

[@KozmykJ]

I think you've nailed it. Barring the later modifications of course. 👍

[@DMSparky]

Just googled it! I think you’re right!

[@OsmosisHD]

Googled images of it and I think you are right! This one is modded with a larger CRT Everything seems to match otherwise

[@robnic52]

Diagnomoscope, so it's a gnome detector? I guessed as much but waited for someone braver than me to suggest it. 👍

[@andrewsnow7386]

The orange side panels look great. I think silver would be boring in comparison.

[@danieldyer1]

Devices of that era remind me of the box containing the alien in the Outer Limits episode “Don't Open Till Doomsday”

[@hobbiesrus]

That is wild looking. All on board for the restoration!

[@cojones8518]

Taylor, Pearson & Carson was a radio and TV operator that became Selkirk Communications. Likely a test rig to test transmitter components.

[@Go4Corvette]

Mr. Carlson is the Einstein of electronics. If I was a young man getting into this line of work, Mr. Carlson would be the teacher I would pick.

[@Keith-g2b]

That's one interesting bit of gear but yeah... rather you than me restoring that. good luck greets from the UK.

[@gonkeyhughes]

Me in redditch says good luck with that one. Rather you than me I am lost on this one. Like most of your videos above my head but love them from uk midlands

[@tonyrmathis]

The knobs and bezel on the frequency dial looks art deco.

[@zadrik1337]

It needs tail fins! Edit: I can't take credit for that. Gary Larson's Far Side cartoon did this back in the 90's.

[@DVGSIBLNTHE]

What a wonderful way to end my day by watching this video and then sleeping.

[@battletoad6896]

Exactly! 😀

[@fevengr9245]

Back in the day, capacitors in the pF range were usually labeled mmF. Perhaps the pf label is referring to power factor?

[@chesthairascot3743]

Dang that thing's rad. I'd say you have a lot more content than just 30 minutes for restoring that guy. I wouldn't mind a 5-part video on it.

[@GeorgeWMays]

Okay, I'm hooked. We have to find out what the heck this thing does. I'll be watching for sure. Very cool. Much appreciated.

[@michaelmoore7975]

@<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="390">6:30</a> I'm just waitin' for a squirrel...er...power unit to jump out.

[@MrCrystalcranium]

There’s a catalog page on the 555 online. Nice picture too. Had a 3” CRT

[@PlanetaryThoughts9861]

It's Dr. Emilio Lizardo's prototype oscillation over-thruster!

[@ulrichfrank4270]

Rather think it is early Scientology brain transfuser... Just saying.... :-)

[@M10000]

The color is right as it is. It is the Union Pacific color, the same color as the M-10000. The streamlined train of the future!

[@wallysprint]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1058">17:38</a>, Mr. Carlson : "mmmh.. kinda interesting" , meanwhile I almost had a stroke trying to read that piece of paper... XD XD

[@JadeStrawberry]

Really cool piece of history, but what a runaway vintage Mack Truck of a deathtrap. I can't wait to see it play when you restore it.

[@greatreset3]

It's called A BOAT ANCHOR ! ⛵

[@alandrury9955]

I'm amazed it has so many tubes inside and NO vents! How hot must that get when it's working? Can't wait to see it coming back to life

[@redstone31]

the rear panel is a vent....not a very good one though!

[@tchads_57]

Thought I saw a fan in the top section.

[@videolabguy]

This is somebody's idea of an all-in-one bench instrument. Maybe. Signal generator and o'scope. Or sweep generator with a demodulated RF display on the screen for tuning RF and IF stages?

[@Blazer02LS]

Maybe some form of vintage radio direction finder with the scope giving strength or direction? CRT replaced with larger one than a tiny original?

[@White_1470]

Its a supreme 555 but the ossiloscope tube has been upggraded to a bigger one

[@drjmansplace5174]

Cool find. Not many of those left.

[@JSVIII]

that looks like it will be a fun restore. I am looking forward to that video.

[@johnbewick6357]

Funny, I was thinking to myself as you removed the back cover to start with, would there be a schematic inside, as the manufacturers often did in the early days, but no. Then you take off the second underside cover and ' hey ' a schematic, not the factory one but a later home made mod schematic. Made my day.

[@FirstLast-vr7es]

You can tell just by the styling that they had pride in that. Now everything is just functional.

[@ver64]

Nice device Mr Carlson 👍🏼

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks!

[@ulrichfrank4270]

I imagine you have to sneak this home without your wife seeing it... "Well, I just brought this along for this neat little transfomer..."

[@angelmessenger8240]

Love the art Deco switches.

[@dhpbear2]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="98">1:38</a> - I'm guessing it was upgraded with a larger CRT.

[@sergemoreillon1236]

Fantastic ! 😃

[@fuseblower8128]

Looks like a hyperbolic radio navigation system like the GEE (British) or LORAN (USA) used by aircraft during WW2 and after.

[@GeorgeZ213]

Yay, another Mr. Carlson's lab video.

[@tubalcain1]

Exciting stuff indeed!! Can't wait for the restoration videos!!

[@elvinhaak]

Please make it a multi-part restauration-video! Nice!

[@Tom-W7TMD]

Looks like maybe those sides slide downwards after you remove the screws on the side.Its going to be a great restoration!

[@SkySim]

Looks like a audio signal generator/oscilloscope.

[@mesapysch]

I thought the same.

[@migsvensurfing6310]

Not with the frequency ranges on the dial. Rather a spectrum analyzer or network analyzer.

[@Bradleyscience]

Paul, you come up with some great finds!! Always fun to watch along with you! Cheers and 73

[@fuzion5467]

Hey I remember that! I think I saw that on facebook marketplace in Vancouver and it said it was a Oscilloscope.

[@dannyfreitas2120]

i was about to leave in to town, but im staying this is cool!

[@gregorythomas333]

Before watching video: A tuning device for ham radios? After watching video: TPC seems to be owners of a group of AM (then later added FM) radio stations in Western Canada...maybe this device was used for that purpose.

[@robnic52]

Its pre ancient greek. A planetary starmap alignment calibration device for your Antikythera mechanism. Unmistakable, I'm surprised Mr Carlson didn't recognise it straight away. My advice, carefully remove the components and lay them aside then fill the casing with concrete. Bolt an Acme Corp heavy duty boat anchor chain attachment bezel onto the casing and you are golden. Happy boating.

[@Coalrollinfurry]

Its the flux capacitor for at&t longlines. Very rare.

[@parttime9070]

I was thinking "Flux capacitor bridge to "Interocitor testing console..

[@LakeNipissing]

VERY interesting device! I could see that being able to both tear up your bench and your back when you move it around.

[@laurigardner6227]

I want to see it have 1930s locomotive racing stripes in an art deco style.

[@peterhaan9068]

Way way way back in the day Supreme offered on some of their test equipment a factory upgrades years after the initial sale. The upgrades were not always pretty but they were all functional. It's a 1938 Supreme 555 Diagnomoscope as identified by CyanTiger, further down in the comments. This larger scope mod could easily have been done by Supreme or a handy tech as an upgrade.

[@peteshulver9221]

What an amazing piece of kit and I agree it looks like some sort of sweep generator I hope the CRT is in a working condition 🤔

[@andersvandegevel8355]

It's quite clearly an early encabulator, normally aspirated

[@yunodiewtf]

Blind guess at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="57">0:57</a> - probably a power station cycle counter and 3-phase phase shift monitor

[@TheDrewCharles]

I hope you do a playlist on this one

[@parttime9070]

Very Flash Gordon stile.. It maybe an antenna tuner..

[@richardhemingway6084]

Could it possibly be a 'Wobbulator"?

[@bandersentv]

Yes, this one of it's functions.

[@zinckensteel]

I think the manufacturer is definitely Supreme, based on the style of the knobs and the pin jacks.

[@rockyo59]

It's an Interocitor from This Island Earth. Used to contact Exeter.

[@andymouse]

It is ! well done !....actually it's stuff like this that was used in the glory days of SCI-FI films such as the awesome one you mentioned.

[@richards7909]

The shape reminds me of a the front of a train :) I noticed on top there are four holes and I thought it was for sone sort of plate but then there’s another four further back. Wonder if there’s a bracket inside not attached or missing (perhaps they are the screws in the envelope?). There’s also two holes in the side of the ‘hood’. All very exciting!

[@UKDrew]

I don't know What It Is, I Don't Know What It Does... But I want One :) Thankyou for Another Cool Vid

[@Mic_Glow]

Insides look like a prototype piece or something smashed together using random junk at a workshop. It has a homely feel to it.

[@atkelar]

Looks a bit like the same period that my Precision Scope was... so, late 1940s, early 1950s by that. At least this one doesn't have anything growing in it. Curious about what it does... Could that be an early TV?

[@bandersentv]

Nope. 1938 Supreme 555 Diagnomoscope. Combination RF generator and scope for radio alignment.

[@dapperdave4952]

I think that is a test set to determine the resonant frequency of Hum Bucking Coils!

[@firefox3187]

1st series ValTech Ind. Lab-Boy. Was pre- PiPBoy that was allowed by future developments in component miniaturisation

[@elmofeneken4364]

Where do you find this stuff? I'm waiting for the disassembly and restoration of a Roswell flying Saucer next.

[@migsvensurfing6310]

Awesome thing.

[@doppz]

I'm just here to hear Paul say "owl crap"

[@tombedocs5929]

Reminds me of an early flying spot tv receiver where the video signal and audio signals were broadcast on two different frequency bands.

[@AndyFletcherX31]

Definitely Art Deco - they really made a big effort when they designed it.

[@BlankBrain]

Perhaps the scope originally had a smaller tube, or the large tube was a later option. This could explain the covered lettering. I'd keep the original paint. It appears to be the same paint as the lettering. Cover it with vinyl if you can't stand it, or just bring it out for Halloween. Don't paint a Tektronix scope green just because you don't like blue.

[@tb4876]

is it a 1930s RF oscillator?

[@jonathanreedpike]

Looks like something the Krell left behind.

[@lonndawg7554]

Unbelievable.... I have never seen anything like this, and the fact that we can't hardly guess, What it actually is and does shows a true ministry..... Sure are a lot of interesting parts putting this device together a lot of parts that look like there very specific to this device, yep, this is going to be an interesting restoration, just discovering all the failed components and discussing them, I have never seen a transformer designed like that.... That looks like to me an expensive part, or somebody wanted a specific transformer with what appears to me to be very high-quality. But, again I will wait to hear what we can learn as we go through each component and you tell us about that component.

[@Veeger]

Looks like Ming the Mercyless' Flash Gordon detector.

[@paulmichaelson7203]

Could this be an external pan adapter with RF input (antenna) and output going to a receiver? I noticed that the frequency goes up to 60 megahertz so it covers the entire HF spectrum and then some. Cool old device. I can't wait to see what it actually does. Thank you, Paul

[@McTroyd]

No idea what it is, but it sure looks like something I'd see in the center console of the 1960s-era Batmobile. 😳 You mentioned the Vedolyzer; maybe this is for TV repair? Perhaps it integrates a signal generator? Very interesting. 👍

[@wktodd]

Love it , what a great piece - no idea what it's for ;-)

[@AndJusticeForAll...1985]

Man that thing looks so complicated! What a challenge! Heck yeah we like hour long videos, I like 2-3 hour in depth videos.

[@FariSamSoli]

I couldn't see any miniature tubes which make me think this a pre-war device, probably a combo of several things something similar to philco 7008

[@atw4321]

I believe your right it very likely was made by Supreme I found a signal generator that has same dial and similar knobs and plugs

[@RickMahoney2013]

It’s an automatic driver for the Scooby Doo Mystery Machine.

[@jackhreha4907]

Another great show. when it was new it was a high ticket item. good luck. Flash Gorden approved.

[@brianperkins6121]

Looking at the images of Supreme 555 Diagnomoscope "The Oscilloscope CRT looks larger then the original. so a maybe a modified version of that device ?

[@onlymeok]

P.F. perhaps power factor. Pico and nano were standardized in the year 1960.

[@brianshersby8979]

I wonder if it is some kind of rf signal generator combined with a wobbulator for coil and or if transformer alignment?

[@feynthefallen]

Beautiful art deco design. Some kind of radio or even early TV broadcast monitoring equipment perhaps?

[@bandersentv]

Radio alignment generator

[@BadChizzle]

I’m hopeful you find a hidden schematics in there somewhere. Wouldn’t that be great? Confession: when I get to a certain point of taking something complicated apart, I start to get so nervous that I’m in too deep/over my head, that it begins to affect my work… and I have to take a long break and regain my composure. Don’t tell anyone, please. Edit: Sorry for forgotten acknowledgement of just how very Cool this unit is!!!!

[@2packs4sure]

For the first time in history me and Mr Carlson have a major disagreement !! I don't think those juices look friendly... :)

[@Rev22-21]

My god man...its a door stop and boat anchor all in one! Here's hoping you re-uped your hydrocodone prescription and anti lock-jaw shots😂

[@terrym1065]

Awesome antique/vintage electronic device. Definitely a piece of DR. Frankenstein's lab equipment and just in time for Halloween😉 A receiver with a CRT tuning scope? I have no clue as to its intended use, this came way before my time. At any rate, the restoration will be exciting as always and looking forward to it. Thanks for the video and work, you have plenty to do it seems. 73s

[@mfbfreak]

The most logical thing would be a sort of filter analyser, not unlike a wobbulator. But it's very hard to say without knowing what each knob does.

[@unlokia]

What does it do? It creates an air of mystery is what 😁

[@ewkabel]

Mickey mouse docklentometer from the first starship enterprise engineering department. LOL

[@KeritechElectronics]

Looks pre-WWII on the outside, '50s on the inside. Loveliness. My first thought when I saw it was indeed the Supreme Vedolyzer, or some other wobbuloscope. Restoration frustration, oh yeah...

[@3067jon]

Absolutely looks like it's from the Time Variance Authority (TVA)

[@faxcapper]

Panadapter?