 |
Waterbed (Hydraulic Bed)
A bed that uses water instead of springs and stuffing. (Read the full article)
| "There are also bits about this in the novel "Beyond This Horizon" (1942 IIRC.) In one of his collections RAH mentions the whole waterbed thing, saying the idea came upon him while fighting tuberculosis in the early to mid 30s (during or just after his time in the US Navy)" (bill 4/17/2004 10:46:38 AM ) |
| "RAH wrote this in Expanded Universe -
"I designed the waterbed during years as a bed patient in the middle thirties; a pump to control water level, side supports to permit one to float rather than simply lying on a not very soft water filled mattress. Thermostatic control of temperature, safety interfaces to avoid all possibility of electric shock, waterproof box to make a leak no more important than a leaky hot water bottle rather than a domestic disaster, calculation of floor loads (important!), internal rubber mattress and lighting, reading, and eating arrangements - an attempt to design the perfect hospital bed by one who had spent too damn much time in hospital beds."" (ee 4/17/2004 10:58:07 AM ) |
| "Actually, Mr. Heinlein had a waterbed-type device in an earlier story. I don't recall the title, but it's about a pilot who accidentally volunteers to fly serum to Pluto...at double or triple-gee. Water-filled acceleration couches are definitely mentioned.
Actually, even Mr. Heinlein forgot about this...I mentioned it at breakfast with him one morning, and he paused, and said, "You're right! I'd forgotten that one!"" (Doc Obi-wan 12/10/2004 2:13:42 PM ) |
| "this site needs more pitures of the things that they talk about, bc students like me need pictures for projects and such." ( 5/22/2005 5:47:46 PM ) |
| "It's also mentioned in Space Cadet (1948, I believe. Don't have the book handy to quote it exactly, but it's right after the new cadets move up to the training ship. Something along the line of "Matt normally slept in a hydraulic bed at home, but he had used a mattress bed while camping," so his bunk aboard the ship wasn't too uncomfortable." (James 8/5/2005 2:33:05 PM ) |
More info on Waterbed (Hydraulic Bed)
Leave a comment:
Tediously, spammers have returned. So, send me your comments to bill at the site name (be sure to mention the page) and I'll post them. Thanks!
Current News Articles
Mechazilla Arms Catch A Falling Starship, But Check Out SF Landing-ARMS
'...the rocket’s landing-arms automatically unfolded.'
A System To Defeat AI Face Recognition
'...points and patches of light... sliding all over their faces in a programmed manner that had been designed to foil facial recognition systems.'
Robot Hand Separate From Robot
'The crawling, exploring object was V-Stephen's surgeon-hand...'
Hybrid Wind Solar Devices
'...the combined Wind-Suncatcher, like a spray of tulips mounted fanwise.'
Is Optimus Autonomous Or Teleoperated?
'I went to the control room where the three other men were manipulating their mechanical men.'
Robot Masseuse Rubs People The Right Way
'The automatic massager began to fumble gently...'
Solar-Powered Space Trains On The Moon
'The low-slung monorail car, straddling its single track, bored through the shadows on a slowly rising course.'
Drone Deliveries Instead Of Waiters In Restaurants?
'It was a smooth ovoid floating a few inches from the floor...'
Optimus Robot Can Charge Itself
'... he thrust in his charging arm to replenish his store of energy.'
Skip Movewear Arc'teryx AI Pants
'...the terrible Jovian gravity that made each movement an effort.'
'Robovan' Name Already Taken - Elon, Try These
There are alternative names that are probably in the public domain by now.
How Old Are Tesla Designs?
You be the judge.
