[AT] Names that have become generic

Dudley Rupert drupert at premier1.net
Wed Mar 31 21:01:46 PST 2004


Brian:

I think in at least one aspect a condenser is to matter or light what a
capacitor is to electricity -- and maybe this is why, for example, in the
big Webster's that I have it shows capacitor as a synonym for condenser.

1)  In regards to matter a condenser is a device for converting matter in a
gaseous state into a liquid or solid state - thus by changing the state of
the matter the condenser allows for more of it to be condensed in a given
volume.

2)  In regards to light a condenser (which might be just a series of lens)
is used to make light converge on an object such as in a telescope - thus by
converging light the condenser concentrates "more of it" to a given point.

3)  In regards to electricity a condenser (or capacitor) does not change the
state of the electricity (or converge it) but provide a means for storing or
condensing it in a device of fixed boundaries.

IMHO  Not to pick a fight with Daniel but I think the term capacitor
would/should be synonymous with condenser only for case 3 above.  It has
been too long since I've been in a classroom or opened a text book but I
don't recall the term capacitor being used for condensing matter or light.

Dudley
Snohomish, Washington

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com]On Behalf Of Brian VanDragt
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 6:55 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] Names that have become generic


Oh yeah, I forgot about him.  So it has nothing to do with condensation, its
just his name.  I can sleep better now knowing that.

Brian

----- Original Message -----
From: "George Willer" <gwill at toast.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 6:55 PM
Subject: Re: [AT] Names that have become generic


> Brian,
>
> Maybe you don't know about Fred Conden?  :-)  He's the guy who discovered
> that you can indeed accumulate electricity in a capacitor, thus the name.
>
> George Willer
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Brian VanDragt" <bvandragt at intraworldcom.net>
> To: "Antique tractor email discussion group"
<at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 6:27 PM
> Subject: Re: [AT] Names that have become generic
>
>
> > Why is a condenser called a condenser?  It is actually a capacitor.  It
> > stores an electrical charge and acts as a buffer, but how can one
> "condense"
> > electricity? :-)
> >
> > Brian
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Tim Bivens" <bivenshill at yahoo.com>
> > To: "Antique tractor email discussion group"
> <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> > Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 3:39 PM
> > Subject: Re: [AT] Names that have become generic
> >
> >
> > > George,
> > > Are you pulling our leg here? LOL. It only makes sense
> > > to me for it to be called a starter since it "starts"
> > > the engine. In the same sense a generator is called a
> > > generator because it generates, a condenser is called
> > > such because it condenses and so forth. Isn't commence
> > > just a synonym for start? Why would one be more
> > > correct than the other? Might be just as correct to
> > > call it a "cranker". I am sure the word "start" was
> > > around a long time before Charles Kettering. Whether
> > > you are pulling our legs or not I am getting a big
> > > laugh out of this.
> > >
> > > Tim Bivens, Glen Rose, Texas
> > >
> > >
> > > --- George Willer <gwill at toast.net> wrote:
> > > > Dean,
> > > >
> > > > The first one I thought of is the starter.  It was
> > > > invented by Charles
> > > > Starter Kettering and takes his middle name.  The
> > > > proper name is
> > > > "commencer".  :-)
> > > >
> > > > George Willer
> > > >
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: "Dean VP" <deanvp at att.net>
> > > > To: <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> > > > Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 1:21 AM
> > > > Subject: [AT] Names that have become generic
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > I was doing some parts hunting today and ran
> > > > across an item that I
> > > > > automatically called a starter "Bendix". However,
> > > > that isn't really the
> > > > > correct name. It's the name of one of the
> > > > companies that makes or made
> > > > them.
> > > > > It reminded me of some other items like the name
> > > > Kleenex that is used for
> > > > > all similar type items.
> > > > >
> > > > > It is a manufacturers dream to get that kind of
> > > > name recognition. What
> > > > other
> > > > > antique tractor parts besides "Bendix" have
> > > > achieved that status?
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Dean A. Van Peursem
> > > > > Snohomish, WA 98290
> > > > >
> > > > > CRS = Having a Photographic Memory but a shortage
> > > > of unused film.
> > > > >
> > > > > www.deerelegacy.com
> > > > >
> > > > > http://members.cox.net/classicweb/email.htm
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > _______________________________________________
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> > > >
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