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Thread ID: 106755	2010-01-21 21:35:00	How Old Is Grandad?	Billy T (70)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
850682	2010-01-21 21:35:00	How Old Is Grandad? Stay with this -- the answer is at the end . It may surprise you . One evening a grandson was talking to his grandfather about current events . The grandson asked his grandfather what he thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general . . His Grandfather replied, "Well, let me think a minute, I was born before: television, transistor radios, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses Frisbees and the pill . There were no: credit cards, laser beams, ball-point pens or helicopters . Man had not invented: pantyhose, air conditioners, dishwashers or clothes dryers . Clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and man hadn't yet gone into space, let alone walked on the moon . Your Grandmother and I got married first, . . . . . . . . . . . and then lived together . Every family had a father and a mother . Until I was 25, I called every man older than me, "Sir" and after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, "Sir . " We were before gay-rights, computer-dating, dual careers, daycare centers, and group therapy . Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and common sense . We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our own actions . Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege . We thought fast-food was what people ate during Lent . Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins . Draft dodgers were those who closed front doors as the evening breeze started . Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends-not purchasing condominiums . We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yoghurt, or guys wearing earrings . We listened to Big Bands, and I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey or any of the Jazz greats still played today . If you saw anything marked 'Made in Japan', it was junk . (China or 'The Warehouse' means the same thing now) . The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exams . Take-Aways were fish and chips, there were no hamburgers, and Pizza Hut, McDonald's and instant coffee were unheard of . Ice-cream cones, rides on a train, tramcar or bus, and a Coke were all a shilling (10 cents) or less, phone calls a penny (1 cent), and if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your shilling on enough stamps to mail 5 or 6 letters . In my day: "grass" was mowed, "coke" was a cold drink, "pot" was something your mother cooked in and "rock music" was your grandmother's lullaby . "Aids" meant helpers in the Headnasters's office, "chip" meant a piece of wood or a something that came with deep fried fish, "hardware" was found in a hardware store and "software" wasn't even a word . And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady should have a husband before having a baby . No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap, and how old do you think I am? I bet you have this really old man in mind . . . you are in for a shock! Read on to see -- pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the same time . Are you ready ????? This person could be only 59 years old! I'm older than that! Cheers Billy 8-{) :help:	Billy T (70)
850683	2010-01-21 22:38:00	His Grandfather replied I was born before: television, transistor radios, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses Frisbees and the pill . This person could be only 59 years old! Yes . You're surprised? My father had a leg amputated when he was 2, because it got infected and there were no antibiotics . Before we pat ourselves on the back, their lifespan is limited now due to the overuse they got, so perhaps that will start becoming common again now .	pctek (84)
850684	2010-01-21 22:55:00	If my father were alive today he would be 85. He saw the introduction of all mentioned plus aircraft and radio and much more. It's quite incredible to look back on the achievements over my lifetime - 65 years.	Roscoe (6288)
850685	2010-01-21 23:41:00	My Grandfather died in 1927 aged 47... He would be 130 if he were alive today ;) Ken	kenj (9738)
850686	2010-01-22 01:23:00	Man had not invented: ... air conditioners, Sorry, but... Modern air conditioning emerged from advances in chemistry during the 19th century, and the first large-scale electrical air conditioning was invented and used in 1902 by Willis Haviland Carrier. So he's 108.	ubergeek85 (131)
850687	2010-01-22 01:39:00	My Grandfather died in 1927 aged 47... He would be 130 if he were alive today ;) Ken Medal in post.	Cicero (40)
850688	2010-01-22 03:49:00	a good story but... in 1887, Louis J. Girard invented a scleral form of contact lens. Glass-blown scleral lenses remained the only form of contact lens until the 1930s when polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA or Perspex/Plexiglas) was developed, allowing plastic scleral lenses to be manufactured for the first time. In 1936, optometrist William Feinbloom introduced plastic lenses, making them lighter and more convenient. so the statement of His Grandfather replied, "Well, let me think a minute, I was born before: television, transistor radios, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses Frisbees and the pill. so even based on the 1936 date, you get an age of 74	robsonde (120)
850689	2010-01-22 06:43:00	I think the situation is intended to be illustrative and is based on common daily usage, not date of invention or early developments. Was 'pre-Elvis' before he was born, or before his performances elevated him to stardom? Mechanical TV was invented and demonstrated many years before the electronic version, but we generally relate its beginnings to common public usage. Limited TV broadcasts started in the UK before WWII and crude radio communication was demonstrated long before Marconi refined it to the stage of practical use. The first working transistorised TV was demonstrated not long after WWII but it was the late 1950's before a consumer model hit the market. Al Bell (Bell Radio & TV) was broadcasting 405 line TV in 1957 from his main Dominion Road factory long before the NZBC got their act together, then later on (1960) moved to 625 lines (the current standard) broadcasting from his other factory at 67 Dominion Road which still there but is now the 'Target' building. I was in the studio audience one night when a live play was being performed. One of my sisters was in the cast so you could say that she was one of NZ's first TV actresses, but that would be a real stretch for credibility. Nit-pickers should go elsewhere to scratch their itches. Get the picture? Cheers Billy 8-{)	Billy T (70)
850690	2010-01-22 07:39:00	Well done Billy T, I can remember growing up in post war Mt Eden - I was born in 1940 - as a University Student, I worked one vacation for Bell Radio and TV - it was in 1958 - The staff used to get pep talks from the boss during their smoko. The one I would disagree with is penicillin, it saved my younger brother's life when he got a severe blood infection in the late 40s. If a boy and girl under 16 indulged in sex, they ended up in court and were branded juvenile delinquents - If a girl got pregnant outside wedlock she was a disgrace to herself and her family name. However, one could walk the streets at night without fear of being mugged, if you forgot to lock the house before going out - then it was a minor oversight and burglary was unlikely. Ther were on average about 8 murders a year, and the perpertrators were hanged , there weren't too many repeat offenders. I cannot recall any problems with race relations, one knew all one's neighbours and there was no problem in getting friendly neighbourhood help if there was a family problem or crisis. There was neighbourhood watch as a matter of course without it being stage managed by the authorities. I remember the last tram to run along Mt Eden Road - No 253 - its in Motat now in 1954. In the early fifties the tallest builing in Queen Street was only 4 stories until 242 was built, the next tallest was the AMP building on the corner of Queen and Victoria which was commenced about1958 or 59. NZ was a pleasant friendly place and although we have raced ahead with all the trappings of an advanced society, I somehow think it was a better place to live then - I consider myself very lucky to have grown up in New Zealand in those years.	KenESmith (6287)
850691	2010-01-22 18:08:00	Those were the days Ken! I was a child in Auckland (b . 1942) It was a great place to grow up . Queen St was the place to go by tram as a special treat and our eyes stood out like organ stops when taken to one of the big department stores for lunch . Only happened about once a year though . I was a working as a fireman in the early 60's and had a part time job installing Tv's and TV aerials for a TV rental guy based in Ponsonby . The most money I ever made in one day was when the TV mast was changed over from the city to Waiatarua . We had to turn all our rental aerials 180 degrees or so to get the new signal . The extra dosh was from all the neighbours who saw us doing a rental one and asked for us to do theirs . We charged 10/- (10 shiilings) for each one and came home with a pocket full!! Must admit, having been away from Auckland since 1963, I dislike the place now and haven't been there since my old Mum died in 2004 . Ken ;)	kenj (9738)
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