Houston, We Have A Button!!! The Illuminated Switches Of Mission Control

Meh - I'm not triskaidekaphobic.

Fran Blanche

I love the "front servicability" hatch, and that amazing way the button twists to unlock the very handy bulb replacement module. Thats genius engineering. Many modern things like vents and such use a similar from panel mount system where turning a screw flips out a finger, and retracting said screw does the opposite.

Anton

These recent videos are killing me. I've worked with many of these legacy devices, so it's a litany of: "Bob, you're old!" Repeated with each video. And again. OK, enough, I get it already. ;^)

BobC

Pretty amazing. I never realised just how complicated those switches could be. It's not really something you think about. I bet they were expensive back in the day!

Reminds me of the good old days.

Without question, that system switch is the most successful family of switches used in high-criticality applications from Mission Control to countless defense and aerospace panels. Did you know you can STILL order those new today? You have a great example of what one configuration can be and can see how every part of the switch can be customizable. From a simple indicator all the way to a quad split face with a different colored “light condom” for each quadrant. The flexible rubber white flap you see dividing the lens in half is actually a light barrier so if the top half of the button is lit, it won’t bleed light into the lower half of the lens. Just when I think I’ve seen every option available for that series, something else comes along that I never could have imagined. For instance, you can order one that has 28VDC coil between the main switch housing and the switch module. What this turned out to be was a hold function. If voltage was applied to the coil, once you pressed the button the button cap would not snap back because it was being magnetically held by the coil. When the coil power is removed, it releases the shaft and the cap pops back into place. That’s only one example of the countless features this switch series has to offer. Obviously, it’s made mostly from stainless steel and other very high-quality materials that don’t grow old and fail even after decades of use. It has FAR more options than the plastic system switch module you last took apart. It also has the bulbs far enough from the thick plastic lens that it won’t burn your fingers even if all bulbs are on and you push the button. Heat dissipation is fantastic thanks to the all-metal housing and thick plastic lenses. You can order them with a clear rubber cover that makes them safe from water spray, or spills, that might otherwise seep through the cap assembly. Then, there’s the spring-loaded lift cap you can order and you have to lift it to push the physical button cap in. All kinds of switch module options can be ordered from no switches all the way up to the push-on/push-off module of four micro switches your unit has. I have found it easy to customize by placing lettering on a film between the clear plastic cap and the white diffuser layer below it. (The lens can be pushed sideways and out when the cap is removed.) Today, I can use a Brother label maker and print out a sticker that I can stick to the white diffuser plastic and then slide the clear lens cap back over it. The contrast is surprisingly good. I use these a lot at home, and even for work, as they are so incredibly flexible. I’ve never had one fail! Bulbs may burn out, but the mechanical components simply won’t break! To me, it doesn’t even look “dated” since the look and feel is so fantastic! I could go on forever as to where I have seen these used and the crazy options this switch series has. Mission Control was just the beginning for this series. Decades later you can still order new ones. It’s just such a beautiful design overall and used just the right materials. I agree, you need to mount that switch into a box somewhere where it can be seen and pushed on a regular basis. It just has such an awesome, serious tactile feel! You can even use daylight-readable white LEDs that are physically the same as the 327 bulb that usually goes in there. It just calls out to your imagination to do something with it. You did a great job of calling out all of the different parts of this masterpiece of a switch. You can easily see how flexible the whole switch series is. That’s why I enjoy your videos so much. It’s the exploration of precision craftsmanship of things that most people would just ignore or not think about. Keep it up!!! There are switch geeks out there, like me, that can’t get enough of your videos!

Matt Wietlispach

Another brilliantly engineered device from the oldendy days.

Dr Andy Hill

I love it. You need to build up a panel of them. Even if they only just change the colours etc. Just having them panel mounted would be awesome!

Sean Yem

I definitely want to see you make this do something. As always a great video, thank you!

David Peaker

Fran hooks up switch- USAF goes to DEFCON ! !! hahaha. Cool switch.

Mike Hughes

Now this is the stuff I signed up for! So cool to see! Thanks!

I didn’t know I could be envious of a switch. But yes. Yes I am.

Mark Wilkes

Remember it is Friday 13th :) Houston and 13 don't mix too well :)

just always love these old solder lugs