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From: urlichs@smurf.ira.uka.de (Matthias Urlichs)
Newsgroups: alt.folklore.computers
Subject: Re: Write Only Memory datasheet (silly circuits)
Message-ID: <1415@smurf.ira.uka.de>
Date: 20 Jan 90 00:19:02 GMT
References: <GUMBY.90Jan8134721@Gang-of-Four.Stanford.EDU> <2930@mibte.UUCP> <972@rbdc.UUCP> <34592@mips.mips.COM> <1990Jan17.190314.1680@cs.rochester.edu>
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In alt.folklore.computers ken@cs.rochester.edu writes:
< 
< This is starting to get away from computers, but Elektor, an
< electronics construction magazine, regularly inserts an "April Fool"
< circuit in their collections. [...]

I fondly remember the one where they built a car keyhole heater,
when you car's door lock has ice inside and you can't unlock it.

They did it by making a fake key with some electronics on the handle which
were supposed to limit the current from your battery through the fake key and
the keyhole to the battery's ground.

You might wonder where to get the current from. Another car's battery
obviously won't work without the two cars actually touching and/or risking some
nifty sparks between them.

The Elektor guys decided to use your car's cigarette lighter.