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FranLab Live: Completely Normal Edition

Last day for shirts - but let's talk about other things. You ask the questions - I'll pretend I know the answers.

BINA-VIEW Controller Project Pt.1

I'm revisiting an old friend - the one of a kind IEE BINA-VIEW display - with a new project to create a dedicated control unit for the display that is period correct for the early 1960's and ultra cool. Here is where it starts. Enjoy!

What Is Severance Really About?

Please no spoilers if you have sneak previews of episodes that have not officially aired - and fair warning that if you are not caught up on Season 2 that there will be spoilers! Enjoy!

Who's Yer Daddy? The Elon Problem

Okay, so a few weeks makes a big difference in the history of American Spaceflight - but not in any way that ever could have been anticipated. Let me talk a but about the conundrum for me....

FranLab Live: SuperLab Sunday Edition!

Sports are happening today so they tell me - but before all that let's get together and talk about the week that was, shall we?

FranLab Ohm's Law Shirt

Everyone is asking about the shirt and so here it is! Slightly altered from my prototype because some people had complained about my adding the multiplication sign (x) - which I did because it honestly looked better on a shirt - but hey!

A 100% preshrunk heavyweight cotton Gilden T-Shirt available in 6 colors in two different body styles - you pick your style and your size and these shirts will be made to order. This campaign runs until February 16 and after the campaign is over they go and print all the shirts and ship direct to you worldwide.

Thank You All!

It will take me a few more days to thank all of you who are new Patrons and send out the extra notes of thanks to all of you who have already been here supporting FranLab and upped your pledges. Yesterday I thought I'd have all the swag packs made up and mailed out today but this morning I find that it is not over yet, and even more emails, messages, comments, and new Patrons await my attention. I really appreciate this busy work!

This renewed support for FranLab will keep us going through 2025, and with enough Patreon support I can get off the hamster wheel and put my time to making better and more focused content, so everybody wins.

None of us can control the current weather of political climate change, but we can stand together for science and engineering, and all those things that make us nerds, geeks, dweebs, and 4-eyed rejects. Speaking only for myself, I know that I would never want to be anything else.

Enemy Of The State???

I shouldn't have to make this video. It is not fair! The beliefs that have driven the hatred towards transpeople in recent years are not based on science - despite erroneous claims that they are - but on fear - Fear of that which they do not understand and actions that their lack of knowledge and education create. So here I go, yet again. Talking about This Stuff!

Sears Talking Machine From 1980

Actually not made by Sears - but many surprises in store for you in this traditional FranLab teardown of an amazing piece of history - a talking digital clock from 1980. How did they do that? Get ready, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!

FranLab Live: Enemy Of The State?

Just another Sunday afternoon on Planet Earth - for most people - but not for me and those like myself. For us, things have changed this week.

Endless Film Loop Projector

An unusual opportunity to see real film being projected in the real world - this one is an endless film loop of animated newspaper weather reports. The machine seems custom built around an EIKI projector, and was part of an exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum Of Art in October, 2024.

My 3 Year Journey Through Brain Damage

I felt that it was finally time for me to tell my story about this. Originally from my livestream of Sunday January 26, 2025, this is condensed for time.

A Shop Tool That I've Never Used?

I love tools. And sometimes getting a tool that you yet to have a need for can be an adventure in search of a problem. Enjoy!

Video Fail: What's Going On With E-Tubers?

Times Change - so does YouTube. Is there still a place here for 'Legacy' channels? I am not so sure.... but it is all up to the algorithm. With all the new up and coming channels out there, can we older E-Tubers be dealt back in?

Filter The UV - Save Your Stuff!

Regular affordable AG Film is an easy way to keep the harmful part of the sunshine off of your valuable stuff.

Insights: Severance To Sex And The City + NYC Memories

Talking TV shows new and old, and some interesting things that revolve around my world and both shows. Enjoy!

Support FranLab!

This is a special note to all of you who follow me here on Patreon but who are not already FranLab Patrons...

2025 is already starting out as a very challenging year for many of us, no matter where you are. I understand that these are tough times, and we all have to make tough choices and be selective about what we spend our time and money on. FranLab is no different, and I have been doing as much as I can with the limited resources that are available.

Due to changes in the YouTube algorithm and the interests of the viewing public at large, as well as other factors that are far beyond my control, the number of people who view FranLab videos has cooled off in the past year. Along with the drop in viewers has been a steady drop in Patreon support. I am hoping to be able to continue to do FranLab through the end of 2025, and I could certainly use your help to do so. If you have enjoyed my work and like the FranLab channel then please consider becoming a full-fledged Patron. You'll get sneak previews to all my videos and other perks depending on the tier that you choose. I also read all the comments and answer all questions here on Patreon, and I care very much about my Patrons and give them my time and attention. So why not become a Genuine FranLab Patron today? I will thank you!

Fran

TI-3000 Panaplex Calculator From 1973

A classic show-and-tell plus teardown for you - this time it is a classic American Texas Instruments TI-3000 desktop calculator from 1973. Some strange surprises inside, and well worth having a close look at. Enjoy!

Oh No! Telechron DigiTel Teardown!

Get the popcorn and beverage of your choice and get ready for a feature length classic FranLab teardown of the Telechron DigiTel mechanical digital clock. Nothing ever goes quite as planned, and sometimes even less so. But you'll be happy with the ending, I promise. Enjoy!

Why's Fran Always Raggin' On Philly?

Well.....

The Favorites?

Can you just pick one? I can't. Let me elaborate....

Remembering David Lynch

In many ways I cannot imagine all the years of my life without the works of David Lynch spread throughout them. I talked about some of his work in my livestream.

Wanamaker Organ Followup

What is really going to happen to the Wanamaker Organ? I honestly do not know - and neither does anyone else - which is the point of this follow up video.

FranLab Live: Staring Into The Void Edition

Just another Sunday afternoon on Planet Earth. So what's the big deal?

Akai M-9: The Ultimate Universal Reel-To-Reel Machine

My go-to machine since I acquired it by happenstance on the street corner in Manhattan back in 2000. Why was it put out for trash? Turned out to be a blown fuse. Easy repair - and decades of service form this wonderful workhorse of a reel-to-reel.

Remembering Optical Titles

They were done by hand and by machine, but optical title work was the mainstay of films for many decades in the 20th Century. Some questions were asked in my weekly livestream so I went down memory lane... Enjoy!

How Loud Is Too Loud???

The loudest show I've ever heard? Huh? What did you say???

Nope. I'm Not Seeing Kraftwerk

Got all the records - seen them in the heyday - but the new 2025 world tour is one that I am going to skip. Let me explain why..

Mystery Alphaville Display

I've been trying to find out what the matrix numerical display is in the 1965 Jean-Luc Godard film Alphaville. Leave suggestions in the comments - and let's try to get one of these in the Lab!

FranLab Live: Nothing To See Here Edition

Just another Sunday afternoon on Planet Earth. So what's the big deal?