My Dad's Mysterious Sound Conditioner

Whenever I see some oddball device, I always figure I'd see one soon. Well today at the thrift store, there was a Sound Screen. I didn't give it too close a look, but it is definitely the same model (perhaps newer). I thought it was a little pricey at $6, though, at least for me to use it.

Jason Olshefsky

Why put it away! I would put it in the lab and have it going all day to keep the relaxation going. Well maybe there are enough fan-cooled things in the lab that create the same effect... I like how it's really just an AC motor spinning a fan blade, with some kind of voltage dropping switch to change the fan speed from "hi" to "low".

Peter Knazko

It runs right off the mains. The motor has two windings for speed.

Fran Blanche

I imagine it depends on one's hearing and how the machine is set.

Fran Blanche

Cool that it's mechanical. I was wondering what voltage the AC Motor uses since it's connected to a transformer.

That was fun to see it's all mechanical. Never heard of these things here in Europe. Kind of missed a 'demonstration' how it actually would affect background conversation. Would iyt sort of put a fluttering modulation on it, so has to make it less comprehensible?

Such a simple but effective device. I find dust like that icky too!

Dr Andy Hill

That must be very special to you Fran. Never used white noise myself, my choice is background "new age" music

Dr Andy Hill

From the comments, it appears that these things are all over the US, but I'm 48 and in the UK and I've never even heard of them let alone seen one.

I’ve been around those since I was young. Really neat to see inside. 😘

Jessica McIntosh

Yeah, their domain is still active too. Seem to have rebranded as “yogasleep” now. I kind of want one. I can’t sleep without white noise.

Chris Crowther

I would have wiped out that plastic shell, you left a lot of black dirt in there.

Santa Sir Glenn Dr Heald

I have one too - although not as fancy. Helps drown out the neighbor's yappy dogs.

I have that exact one. Used it when I worked nights and trying to sleep during the day.

Gilbert Pfaff

yes, don't be base-hole

Galen Thurber

I bought one of these new a few years ago. Highly recommend.

It's still a thing apparently: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Marpac-Dohm-Natural-Noise-Machine-White-Grey-Refurbished/998989994 "THE ORIGINAL SOUND MACHINE: Beloved by generations since 1962, the Dohm model features our signature fan-based natural white noise producing the famous Marpac Sound – the soothing ambient sounds of rushing air, without the disturbance of actual moving air."

lohphat

"Polarized" notification - to bring the Greatest Generation up-to-date in regards to their days of non-polarized (and less safe) plugs. :)

Peter Voss

Just had a look on Amazon and it seems they still sell a basically identical model! :D