Earlier this week, I found an old big-screen projection TV out on the curb. It had been outside so long that all the particle-board of the case was rotting. So it was a simple matter to peel off a bunch of parts that I thought would be neat.
For instance, here’s some of the lenses and optics that were in the projection part:
I’m not quite certain what I’m going to do with them. I haven’t been too impressed with their performance as telescope parts, but I’ll probably keep working at it.
The most amazing part of the TV is the Fresnel lens that makes up the screen (not Fresno lens as I keep trying to call it).
I had seen a Make TV episode were people used one of these lenses to melt plastic soldiers and whatnot. I thought instead that I would try it on an egg.
It only took a minute or so to cook. And there was only minimal burning!
The focused bit of light was so intense that even with sunglasses and my eyes squinted to the tiniest slit, I couldn’t more than glance at it for a brief moment.
But a couple of days have gone by and I haven’t gone blind, so I consider that a success.