Identify this gizmo

[ws23rt]

I saw this in a thrift shop and had to have it. ($5)
When asked what it was they said they didn't know but it works cause all their stuff is checked out before they sell it. 
BTW I Know what it is now and thought it would be fun to see how many can identify it.  Or how good is google?

[Old Moparz]

HOLY CRAP!  NEVER THOUGHT I'D SEE ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE PROBES SINCE THAT TIME ON THE SPACE SHIP!

[burnout.dawg]

Is it a desk fan?

[ws23rt]

Is it a desk fan?

Not a fan

[burnout.dawg]

Is it a pencil sharpener?

[djcarguy]

 



personal Force Field Generater



  tattoo remover


  bathroom fart perifier thinggy

[bill440rt]

That's a dikfer. 

[F8-4life]

HOLY CRAP!  NEVER THOUGHT I'D SEE ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE PROBES SINCE THAT TIME ON THE SPACE SHIP!

^^
Too funny!

[70 sublime]

Heater ?

[twodko]

Naw, that's one of those turn-of-the-century ladies pleasure aids. 

[ws23rt]

It's not a heater.

Hint--- It has no moving parts. And it does work as designed.

It does not vibrate

[Cooter]

I see rust deposits on the laminated disc in the Flux Capacitor.

[ws23rt]

I see rust deposits on the laminated disc in the Flux Capacitor.

Now that's just patina.  BTW there is no relay in it  

[tan top]

    small block  chevy ??   
.
.
.
.
.

just kidding chevy guys , think all mopar fans wish we had all the performance & resto parts available , at the same prices , as you lot do .   

[bull]

I saw this in a thrift shop and had to have it. ($5)
When asked what it was they said they didn't know but it works cause all their stuff is checked out before they sell it. 

Um, how do they know it works if they don't know what it is?

[Tilar]

Hmm, No moving parts but there is a light on it and a switch, is the red light to tell you that it is on?

[bull]

Ah, it's a red light turner onner.

[ws23rt]

I saw this in a thrift shop and had to have it. ($5)
When asked what it was they said they didn't know but it works cause all their stuff is checked out before they sell it. 

Um, how do they know it works if they don't know what it is?

That's a good point.  After I found out what it was I was able to establish that it works.   "as designed"

Another hint is it does not work well as intended.

[ws23rt]

Hmm, No moving parts but there is a light on it and a switch, is the red light to tell you that it is on?

The red light comes on when the switch is moved to on.

[bill440rt]

Some sort of primitive disco light? 

[69 OUR/TEA]

Some kind of pest/rodent/bug deterant ?

[ws23rt]

Some kind of pest/rodent/bug deterant ?

Now that is a great guess.   But not it.

The only light is the on light.

I just tried a google image search but came up empty   Maybe some one can get better results than I did.

[69 OUR/TEA]

So your saying you don't know what it is either ?

[Brock Lee]

Infrared lamp?

[ws23rt]

So your saying you don't know what it is either ?

No I do know what it is.   I just attempted to use google image search to see if it would bring this thing up.

I originally found out what it is using its name to find reference.  This was before google.

[oldcarnut]

Darkroom Photo light?

[djcarguy]

   just counted an you can sharpen 15  of   SKIPPYS  FAVOR COLOR CRAYONS  at a time??


   

 early striper stage light for amber glow  of the furry bits??




   guynologiccal  crabs inspection  light as too not scare crabs away,hahaha??



                         Sent ya a pm,think i know real answer? ?may beee??  dj

[ws23rt]

Darkroom Photo light?

Not a darkroom light

[JB400]

Never mind.  My choice was taken.

Is there a modern equivalent or has this went extinct in the US?

[Tilar]

Does it make a noise of any kind?

[ws23rt]

Never mind.  My choice was taken.

Is there a modern equivalent or has this went extinct in the US?

I don't know of anything in use today that does what this was intended for.  Extinct?  I think so.

[ws23rt]

Does it make a noise of any kind?

When it is turned on it makes no sound.  I suppose that is why it has a light to indicate that it is on.

[elacruze]

Does it make a noise of any kind?

When it is turned on it makes no sound.  I suppose that is why it has a light to indicate that it is on.

It's the engine from a Fiat 850!

[JB400]

What room would it normally be used in?

[ws23rt]

What room would it normally be used in?

It's normal use could be in any room.
These questions may lead to it so I will try to be evasive as I can without telling a lie

[NJRBros]

Electromagnetic hair treatment device! 

[Fred]

It's a "mother-in-law" detector. It starts spinning out of control the minute she's at the front gate. That gives me about 3 mins to disappear. 

[JB400]

Does it serve a purpose other than guessing games?

[ws23rt]

Electromagnetic hair treatment device! 

no---This was not made for hair treatment.

[A383Wing]

does it detect "cats & ducks" in pictures?

(I got no clue, but I'm sure I have heard of it when it's posted what it is...I have seen it somewhere before, I'm sure.....maybe)

[ws23rt]

It's a "mother-in-law" detector. It starts spinning out of control the minute she's at the front gate. That gives me about 3 mins to disappear. 

If it was a "mother-in-law"  detector it would not be extinct.

They would be made in china and be cheap 

[Fred]

I think it's another one of those useless, come in handy one day gadgets that you had to have but don't know why.

[JB400]

Last question:  What's the little black thing on the bottom of it opposite of the switch and light?

[NJRBros]

How would this compare in terms of usefulness?


You've got me really curious now 

[ws23rt]

I think it's another one of those useless, come in handy one day gadgets that you had to have but don't know why.

Hmm---that's starting to drift away a bit..

This sure is starting to sound like what's my line
I am tempted to give in but I think you folks will pin it down soon

[ws23rt]

Last question:  What's the little black thing on the bottom of it opposite of the switch and light?

That is a fuse holder.   

[ws23rt]

This thing is heavy and rather well made.   I expect expensive at the time as well  (late 50s-early 60s)

Hint --I said earlier that it made no sound. However if you have something metal in your hand and pass it in front of the large flat end that metal object will vibrate.

[polywideblock]

a negative ion generator

[ws23rt]

a negative ion generator

Nope.

[A383Wing]

electro magnet generator

[NJRBros]

Are the holes just for venting heat produced from the electronics?

[ws23rt]

electro magnet generator

You are indeed on the path.  It does generate a pulsing magnetic field.

But what was it made for?

[ws23rt]

Are the holes just for venting heat produced from the electronics?

I think so although I haven't felt any heat to speak of coming from it while on for a while.

[cdr]

for the picture tube on a tv

[ws23rt]

for the picture tube on a tv

Nope-- This did not interplay with another device.

[NJRBros]

No idea! Is it for some sort of electromagnetic therapy? All I found really was that in the 60's they found electromagnetic pulses sped up the healing process.. It looks like you'd hold it in your hand and rub the stained part against something.  If it's not that then I have noooo idea 

[ws23rt]

No idea! Is it for some sort of electromagnetic therapy? All I found really was that in the 60's they found electromagnetic pulses sped up the healing process.. It looks like you'd hold it in your hand and rub the stained part against something.  If it's not that then I have noooo idea  

Yes ---You have it.    
This is called a "Depolaray"----It was made to heal injuries and ailments of all kinds.  The list of things it was supposed help with was much longer than the list of things that it did not help with. One would just sit and bask in the healing warmth of the magnetic field in a doctors office. They were not for home use.  (Danger consult your doctor )

I contacted a nice gent years ago that had a "museum of questionable medical devices". He knew what they were but had never see one and mine was different in appearance than the pics he had seen.

There was much controversy about these and many were confiscated by the GOV.

Mine has no vin  and I have never seen a picture of one like mine.  But there are some left out there I am sure.

There is some interesting reading on the topic of "Medical Quackery" that will show up with a search of the name --- Depolaray---

 to you all..  I now know that together we can get to the bottom of any question.

[A383Wing]

I still can't find the cat....

[ws23rt]

I still can't find the cat....

You may have been able to with this device.----Healer / cat magnet.

I think you are like me. In that there is much useless information in our heads. I wonder if we are like hoarders and cleaning house would be in order---Na--there is plenty of room left in there.

[NJRBros]

AHA! So I was kind of close with the 'electromagnetic hair treatment device'! That stained part doesn't come off does it?  Looking at a picture of another Depolaray it looks like it had a big lens on the front?

Definitely a strange conversation starter and a cool addition to a collection! 

[ws23rt]

AHA! So I was kind of close with the 'electromagnetic hair treatment device'! That stained part doesn't come off does it?  Looking at a picture of another Depolaray it looks like it had a big lens on the front?

Definitely a strange conversation starter and a cool addition to a collection!  

You were very close but hair treatment was not on the list of things this was for

BTW when this all came down about quackery in this case the depolaray was not shone to -not- be of benefit. It was a struggle in politics
and was "dismissed" by lawyer chat.

[Fred]

I still can't find the cat....

Short of pinning it to your breast pocket.........I don't think you ever will.   

[Fred]

No idea! Is it for some sort of electromagnetic therapy? All I found really was that in the 60's they found electromagnetic pulses sped up the healing process.. It looks like you'd hold it in your hand and rub the stained part against something.  If it's not that then I have noooo idea  

Yes ---You have it.    
This is called a "Depolaray"----It was made to heal injuries and ailments of all kinds.  The list of things it was supposed help with was much longer than the list of things that it did not help with. One would just sit and bask in the healing warmth of the magnetic field in a doctors office. They were not for home use.  (Danger consult your doctor )

I contacted a nice gent years ago that had a "museum of questionable medical devices". He knew what they were but had never see one and mine was different in appearance than the pics he had seen.

There was much controversy about these and many were confiscated by the GOV.

Mine has no vin  and I have never seen a picture of one like mine.  But there are some left out there I am sure.

There is some interesting reading on the topic of "Medical Quackery" that will show up with a search of the name --- Depolaray---

 to you all..  I now know that together we can get to the bottom of any question.

So what are your plans for it?  Or is that irrelevant?

[JB400]

Fred, he's just going to dismiss your questions.

[Fred]

Fred, he's just going to dismiss your questions.

Well that's just being childish!   

[A383Wing]

This is called a "Depolaray"----It was made to heal injuries and ailments of all kinds.

so has this miraculous product cured all yer ailments?

[A383Wing]

This is called a "Depolaray"----It was made to heal injuries and ailments of all kinds.

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/8420495

pic of another one here

[ws23rt]

No idea! Is it for some sort of electromagnetic therapy? All I found really was that in the 60's they found electromagnetic pulses sped up the healing process.. It looks like you'd hold it in your hand and rub the stained part against something.  If it's not that then I have noooo idea  

Yes ---You have it.    
This is called a "Depolaray"----It was made to heal injuries and ailments of all kinds.  The list of things it was supposed help with was much longer than the list of things that it did not help with. One would just sit and bask in the healing warmth of the magnetic field in a doctors office. They were not for home use.  (Danger consult your doctor )

I contacted a nice gent years ago that had a "museum of questionable medical devices". He knew what they were but had never see one and mine was different in appearance than the pics he had seen.

There was much controversy about these and many were confiscated by the GOV.

Mine has no vin  and I have never seen a picture of one like mine.  But there are some left out there I am sure.

There is some interesting reading on the topic of "Medical Quackery" that will show up with a search of the name --- Depolaray---

 to you all..  I now know that together we can get to the bottom of any question.

So what are your plans for it?  Or is that irrelevant?

I had planed to donate it to Bob McCoy"s museum  (The Museum of Questionable Medical Devices) However Bob passed away a few years ago and the museum closed.  The collections are now in the Science Museum of Minnesota but I've not decided yet on donating it there.

Bob told me that all the ones he had see in pictures had what looked like a headlight glass front. Mine is larger and with that brown textured (bakelite?) front. I think it is the RT model Maybe one of one?

I'll keep it for now like I'm keeping my C500---cause I like it

[ws23rt]

This is called a "Depolaray"----It was made to heal injuries and ailments of all kinds.

so has this miraculous product cured all yer ailments?

Some ailments just can't be cured   Like my mental ailments for example.  I like old,outdated, impractical cars and chatting with strangers about them ----I should be allowed a handicap tag for my charger-----better parking

[rt green]

they probably used it to cure 'certain' women ailments

[Fred]

they probably used it to cure 'certain' women ailments

Such as?   
Mrs. Fred.

[ws23rt]

they probably used it to cure 'certain' women ailments

Such as?   
Mrs. Fred.

Do you need to borrow my device?

[Fred]

they probably used it to cure 'certain' women ailments

Such as?  
Mrs. Fred.

Do you need to borrow my device?

Not before I know what "women ailments" it can cure.  Not all things are cured for the best.  
Mrs. Fred.

[ws23rt]

they probably used it to cure 'certain' women ailments

Such as?  
Mrs. Fred.

Do you need to borrow my device?

Not before I know what "women ailments" it can cure.  Not all things are cured for the best.  
Mrs. Fred.

The best thing about this device is it will do whatever you want from it.----Just believe

I recall someone was asking a herbal supply store clerk for some placebo.   They said they had seen it advertised as an ingredient in some things and wanted to make sure they got what they needed.

BTW Hi Mrs. Fred--- and you too Fred

Bruce

[Fred]

they probably used it to cure 'certain' women ailments

Such as?  
Mrs. Fred.

Do you need to borrow my device?

Not before I know what "women ailments" it can cure.  Not all things are cured for the best.  
Mrs. Fred.

The best thing about this device is it will do whatever you want from it.----Just believe

I recall someone was asking a herbal supply store clerk for some placebo.   They said they had seen it advertised as an ingredient in some things and wanted to make sure they got what they needed.

BTW Hi Mrs. Fred--- and you too Fred

Bruce

In that case I already have a similar device and won't need yours.  Mine's called Fred.   

The placebo thing is funny.

Nice to make your acquaintance Bruce, I'm Erika.

[ws23rt]

 

[mrsskip68]

I just saw,this thread. My first thought was a shock therapy device. Interesting lil gizmo for sure.

[69rtse4spd]

So now should we just call you DR. WS23RT, since you have a medical device. .