My Science

Personal Memoirs of my adventures in science and how I got started in both science and electronics …

Sparking My Interests

In the beginning there was nothing - as in vacuum (tubes, that is) ... I grew-up in a time where the vacuum tube was king. Transistors existed, but were reasonably rare in commercial appliances. I recall watching TV on a large (20" tube) Admiral colour set (circa late 1960's) which used over 30 tubes!

More Serious Electronics

It is hard to imagine an engineer over 40 who does not have a copy of the Engineer's Notebook by Forrest M. Mims III pictured here (the 1980 edition). Radio Shack sold all of the components listed in the book (yes, they had chips and resistors in their retail stores) and so one could purchase an SN76477 complex sound generator for $2.99 (the 28-pin chip on the right) and wire it on a breadboard (also available at the store) to make all sorts of noises.

Brain Candy: The Ontario Science Center

I suppose I can't say enough good about my parents. They indulged my scientific curiosities, financed projects, and took my brother and I to the Ontario Science Center in Toronto at least once a year (A place I took my kids to when they were younger).

Adventures In Science

The science center had given me an interest in lasers which, more than anything else, fuelled my drive towards studies in physics and engineering. As a kid, and even now, I was never sure whether I should go into physics or engineering - as it ends up, I did both.

Off to School

University was a bit anti-climactic, at least the academic part: I was no longer 'the smartest guy in class' nor was I busy indulging in science which _I_ found interesting rather I was studying whatever was in the curriculum and in many cases, getting buried in school work.

A New Chapter …. Quite Literally

Enter the launch of the Photonics programs at Niagara College in 2001 and I find myself once again (happily) knee-deep in the field of lasers, teaching numerous laser courses at the technician, technology, and (when we offered it) applied-bachelor level.

Weird Science

I was asked to help with a video for the police services video unit to used for training officers in electrical safety issues - for example how to deal with situations involving fallen wires.