[GreenKeys] Dr. House Visit

[Steve Ripper]

I had the opportunity this past Sunday afternoon and Monday morning to visit
at the home of a legend in the Teletype community, Dr. Don House. I was
welcomed at the front door by his lovely bride Glenna when I noticed the
wonderful sound of several Teletype machines clattering away. Glenna told me
to keep my shoes on and was directed down to the basement and entered the
Teletype man cave of Dr. House. Don invited me into his world of Teletype
history, the likes of which I had never seen in any one place before. Don
spent the next four hours describing the advantages, disadvantages and
history of each and every machine, from the rare one of a kind machines I
never even knew existed up to the very last machines Teletype Corporation
manufactured. If I had been smart, I would have videotaped the experience as
I never learned so much so fast about our beloved machines. Don has a story
to go with each machine and their individual and unique quirks. During
dinner at a marvelous local home style restaurant, Don and I discovered we
had another common interest and experience, that of being in the US Navy. As
an airplane driver for the Naval Air Development Center (NADC) I had flown
some of the same aircraft that Don had been involved with, namely the
Lockheed P3 Orion. So once we returned to Don' & Glenna's home, we spent the
rest of the evening telling our respective Navy stories. Don and Glenna were
gracious enough to let me stay the night in their home where I slept like a
rock. I woke up to the smell of fresh coffee and found Glenna in the kitchen
toasting bagels, warming coffee cake and preparing a fresh fruit salad.
Needless to say this was probably the best breakfast I had in quite some
time. After breakfast we unload the two model 32 machines that I had
promised to Don after which I had to depart for northern Michigan. Although
I was at Don and Glenna's for less than twenty four hours it was an
experience I will never forget. The stories, knowledge and hospitality were
unmatched and I can only hope I get the opportunity to repeat the experience
again. A special thanks to Glenna for taking care of us and putting up with
our Teletype hysteria, and to Don for being my friend!

 

Cheers,

 

Steve Ripper

steveripper at comcast.net

steve.ripper at gmail.com

248-787-0705

ttytape signature 20Nov2011

 

 

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