Another View of Crossley's Crosley Flying Flea

Here, Richard continues work on the Flying Flea. Here the fuselage covering is in place. Ditto the engine mounting and upper wing mount. (The pilot's stepped out to leave more room for maneuvering new components into place.)

He's holding it for the photograph, which gives you an idea of the scale. More to come!
--Mike http://www.michaelabanks.com/

Crosley Flying Flea Construction Continues ...

Richard Crossley (two esses) of the U.K. continues work on his scale indoor flying model of the Crosley Flying Flea. The original was built by Crosley's corporate pilot, Eddie Neirmaier and is on display the the Smithsonian's Air & Space Museum today.

As you can see, Richard has finished painting the pilot, and added true-to-original "white rubber tyres." They're actually balsa as this point, but will be white. The nose and cowling covering are completed, too.

Click on the image to see a large version. More photos to come!
--Mike http://www.michaelabanks.com/

The Pre-History of the Web!

AppleLink NIFTY-Serve PC-Link Lockheed DIALOG BIX MCI Mail CompuServe AT&T Mail GEnie DELPHI eWorld Promenade DIALOG VIEWTRON Covidea Prestel Minitel Gateway

Do these names bring back memories? If so, you'll really like my newest book, On the Way to the Web. Ditto, if you're a fan of technology history. As with Crosley, this is a book I'd been waiting for; it never came out, so I wrote it.

On the Way to the Wev: The Secret History of the Internet and Its Founders is a history of the Internet before the Web, and includes ARPAnet, CompuServe, DIALOG, GEnie, BIX, DELPHI, PLink, PC-Link, Promenade, AppleLink, eWorld, and all the rest--including online services before ARPAnet. I also cover Videotex and teletext in Europe and the U.S. Prestel, Mintel, et al.

"This is a thorough, entertaining, informative, useful history of how our world was transformed during my adult life." --Orson Scott Card

Crosley Icyball Video

Here's a fun video showing the Crosley Icyball. The Icyball itself is at Lee Maxell's Washing Machine Museum in Eaton, Colorado. Mr. Maxell shows the components and explains the Icyball's workings.

--Mike

http://www.michaelabanks.com/

Crosley Automobile Videos Online

Here are some of the Crosley automobile videos available at You Tube:

A two-tone pre-war Crosley in action

1947 Crosely convertible (ride along)

Another convertible (no muffler)

1948 Crosley station wagon (inside and out)

Nicely produced featurette & Crosley meet

Crosley Radio Video Tours (with Sound)

You Tube now hosts a number of videos showcasing old Crosley radios. Who would have thought we'd be watching videos of radios?) Here's a list to get you started:

1925 Crosley Pup

De Forest - Crosley Model 51 (1)

De Forest - Crosley Model 51 (2)

Crosley 154 Cathedral Radio (1933)

Crosley 158 Cathedral Radio