any ideas what this is?

[aquilla]

i brought this at a carboot today because it came with something else i wanted. just wondering if any of you guys know what it is? it has a large copper coil inside and the red bar slides into it from the side of the box, this feels to have a iron center so that would make the coil an electromagnet, the thin metal bar seems to be tuneable for how quickly it vibrates from side to side (when you flick it but id guess the electromagnet would attract it and then it losing contact with the bar it touches would break the circuit). any guesses

 

[jadam318]

Are you sure that's not some sort of explosive device?

Seriously, though, that sticker says something about a battery. I have no clue what that is.

 

[aquilla]

Are you sure that's not some sort of explosive device?

Seriously, though, that sticker says something about a battery. I have no clue what that is.

hmm hope not
the sticker is just the batteries details, which ive tried googling them and found nothing. it does mention that the battery is for medical use.

 

[gaseousclay]

maybe it's some sorta time machine doohicky, kinda like Homer Simpson's time travelling toaster

 

[aquilla]

any ideas guys?

 

[The Nid Hog]

I'm going to say that I think that it's an incomplete device for delivering electroshock therapy.

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2007/08/electroshock-th/

There are some better photos on line--this is what I found in a quick search.

 

[mmack66]

maybe it's some sorta time machine doohicky, kinda like Homer Simpson's time travelling toaster

http://www.hulu.com/watch/8729/napoleon-dynamite-the-time-machine

 

[citizensoldierny]

I've always wanted an at home electroshock therapy machine, I hate having to have to get a ride back from the asylum. That and I can do it without an appt. any time I feel out of sorts.

 

[strat1117]

I've always wanted an at home electroshock therapy machine, I hate having to have to get a ride back from the asylum. That and I can do it without an appt. any time I feel out of sorts.

 

[aquilla]

I'm going to say that I think that it's an incomplete device for delivering electroshock therapy.

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2007/08/electroshock-th/

There are some better photos on line--this is what I found in a quick search.

i think you may be right, on the inside it says it was checked on the 25th march 1930 and the coil is rated to 450v.

 

[strat1117]

I'm pretty sure that they used a device like that on Fringe to read minds and/or move between alternative universes.

 

[Thebigspendur]

Why that's a prototype of a Gillette razor system. Your missing most of it. It was supposed to be the best shaver in the world.

 

[jadam318]

I'm pretty sure that they used a device like that on Fringe to read minds and/or move between alternative universes.

Oooh, I think you're right!

Let us know how it works, aquilla!

 

[aquilla]

Oooh, I think you're right!

Let us know how it works, aquilla!

i just tried it it took me to an alternate time line where i was a millionnaire living on a desert island but the only type of razor was a fusion and the only soap goo... im sledge hammering it as i type this

 

[slcsteve]

Could be one of the many absolutely useless quack medical devices that were foisted off on the gullible public.

 

[jadam318]

i just tried it it took me to an alternate time line where i was a millionnaire living on a desert island but the only type of razor was a fusion and the only soap goo... im sledge hammering it as i type this

Sounds like a nightmare machine. good call.

 

[Mysterion]

I believe you have found an early electro-mechanical vibratory massage device, albeit incomplete. Victorian physicians used a variety of methods to relieve women of symptoms of "hysteria."

 

[aquilla]

i think ive found what it is, although its explanation is quite vague

http://www.teralab.co.uk/Museum/Misc/Museum_Misc_Page1.htm
looks to be a variation of this.
thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[machine99703]

I believe you have found an early electro-mechanical vibratory massage device, albeit incomplete. Victorian physicians used a variety of methods to relieve women of symptoms of "hysteria."

To bad none of those ever panned out, we would all be a lot happier.

 

[Mr. O]

I was going to say it looks like a perfectly good dust collector........