The N&T Archive holds a few photos sent in by readers at this time – American fan Dean A. Grennell (well known as dag, and editor of Grue) had a habit of sending us over- or under-exposed prints that were just not reproducible with available resources of the period. Thanks to today's miracle of computer processing, we can restore and reveal one of these treasures, complete with caption provided by Dean... "Only existing photo of the supersecret (pat. 1952) "Cerebrocollabrogator". This was developed to enable two (or more) people to combine their talents with maximum effectiveness on collaborative writing. Another model, attached to an arm holding a brush, was used for paintings.     On the initial test-run (pictured here) the proportional detorsioniser blew at a pressure of 12,718 milliergs and shattered windows over a radius of 14 miles. The output, which had been a smoothly progressing monograph on "Fertility Rites Among The Oogaluk Esquimaux" prior to this, rapidly disintegrated into an apparently interminable chain of the most scurrilous limericks it has ever been the misfortune of the writer to encounter.     Since the proportional detorsioniser activated the Vickers motor which in turn modulated the frequency of the primary coils as well as the first three banks of the reactivators, shutoff was well-nigh impossible, and only through a heroic charge by the writer with a dull axe to cut the input cable single-handed, was civilisation (as we know it today) saved." The pic shows Dean Grennell (right) and Gerry Kincannon (left), in Autumn 1952. As I recall, after reading this frank account of the hazards encountered during development of the "Cerebrocollabrogator", we entertained serious doubts about taking up Dean's generous offer to try it out. Though we beseeched him to send us samples of the limericks with a view to publication, he maintained a stern silence on the matter in subsequent correspondence. Dave Rowe writes from Franklin, Indiana, where he is now domiciled: "Strange to be reading 45 year old locs from Ethel Lindsay and Lynn Hickman. Did you know Lynn has a passing mention in Bob Bloch's Psycho where there's a reference to a farm equipment salesman who left a SF paperback in one of the rooms at Bates Motel." While Harry Warner Jr. comments: "Another source of surprise is the fact that your address has apparently remained unchanged since the early 1950s. I believe I may have the record for unchanged address on this side of the Atlantic's fandom, but mine goes back only to 1957 so you are probably the global record holder in this respect." Wow! Is there any fan out there who would deny me this small claim to fame? You have been reading FROM THE ARCHIVES #2, a supplement to the recycled file of NOW & THEN, hopefully started back in 2001, but delayed by illness in the family and the intrusion of interminable medical checks and a period of brief visits to hospital. Glad to report that both Marion and I are still alive and kicking, and this lot will be finished and mailed by the end of June 2002. Circulated by Harry Turner from 10 Carlton Avenue, Romiley, Cheshire SK6 4EG, UK .

Sole © RFV&SDS, 2009.