Tag: cable

Choosing the Right Wires For Your Project

"It seems to run on some form of electricity." Marvel's The Avengers (2012) One of the most confusing parts of electronic work is choosing the right wires. If they're too thin, they may not be providing enough power. If they're too thick, they may be taking up precious real estate if you have a densely-packed project. Figuring out the right wires to use also involves a fair amount of math. Let's hope you were paying attention in algebra. The Basics Before we even get into wires, you'll probably want to know the basics of electric power. The three common elements of power you'll need to…

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November 8, 1972: HBO’s First Broadcast

Today in 1972, the Home Box Office first began airing programming, beginning with Paul Newman's 1971 drama Sometimes a Great Notion. HBO debuted on a Service Electric cable TV system in Wilkes-Barre, PA. It premiered to little fanfare and even less interest. HBO maintained a small subscriber base for two years, almost constantly losing money. In late September 1975, HBO switched from a microwave-based delivery system to a satellite-based one. This marked a massive shift in HBO's availability and popularity, allowing the network to broadcast across the entire country. The first program broadcast in this new format was the record-breaking Thrilla in Manila boxing match,…

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