4 The Arcturus IV Case Study John E. Arnold Edited with an introduction by John E. Arnold, Jr. Arcturus IV Case Study John E. Arnold Edited with an introduction by John E. Arnold, Jr. © Copyright 2016 John E. Arnold, Jr. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of the copyright holder. Address inquires to [email protected] Cover photography by NASA under a General Use permission Permission to reprint the May, 1953, Astounding Science Fiction article, Space, Time and Education, by John E. Arnold was granted by Penny Publications LLC / Dell Magazines, 6 Prowitt Street, Norwalk CT 06855. Originally published in Astounding Science Fiction, May 1953. The cover image is copyright © 2016 Penny Publications LLC/Dell magazines. Reproduction of the routing slip in Appendix 2 courtesy of the MIT Museum. Table of Contents Table of Figures Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................v Introduction: Designing the Future ......................................................................................... vi Preliminaries .................................................................................................................................... vi Hindsight .......................................................................................................................................... vi The Experiment ............................................................................................................................... vi Arcturus IV ...................................................................................................................................... vii The Legacy ....................................................................................................................................... ix What Now? ....................................................................................................................................... x Case Study: Arcturus IV ............................................................................................................ a Background Material ........................................................................................................................ 1 Extra-Solar Planet Reports .................................................................................................................. 7 Methanians ....................................................................................................................................... 14 General Engineering Report .............................................................................................................. 18 Marketing and Production Report .................................................................................................... 21 Project Dishpan ................................................................................................................................. 27 Information Request ............................................................................................................................................ 29 Time Keeping, Numeric and Electric Systems ................................................................................... 32 Home & Yard Items Methanian Clock ................................................................................................................................ 35 Carriage – Incubators ........................................................................................................................ 41 More Information: Methanian Physiology ......................................................................................... 44 Kitchen Appliances ............................................................................................................................ 48 Lame's Chair ...................................................................................................................................... 62 Lawn Conditioner .............................................................................................................................. 67 Transportation...................................................................................................................................... 75 Eggomobile & Acustom Coupe .......................................................................................................... 80 Farm Equipment ............................................................................................................................. 91 Mulp Plant ......................................................................................................................................... 97 Lohocla Plant ..................................................................................................................................... 99 Project Harvest Moon Shovel Items ................................................................................................ 101 Ordywalc .......................................................................................................................................... 105 Pneumatic Hammer ......................................................................................................................... 109 iv Appendix 1: Index Tables ..................................................................................................... 114 Letter Writers and Affiliations .................................................................................................... 114 Groups, Divisions, & Members ................................................................................................... 115 Letterheads by Group ................................................................................................................. 117 Faculty & Students Associated with Arcturus IV ....................................................................... 118 A Few Examples of Playful Names Found in the Case Study .................................................... 119 Location of Known Case Studies Associated with John E. Arnold ............................................ 119 Arcturus Project Sessions ........................................................................................................... 120 Appendix 2: Introduction to Case Study on Arcturus IV .................................................... 122 Appendix 3: Space, Time and Education ............................................................................. 127 References ............................................................................................................................ 142 v Table of Figures Case Study Page Fig. 1: Sub-Human Type 1046-A ................................................................................................................. 16 Fig. 2: Synchronome Assembly, E-48 ......................................................................................................... 37 Fig. 3: Diagram of Clock Mechanism, S-82 ................................................................................................. 38 Fig. 4: Gear Box Mechanism, M-31 ............................................................................................................ 39 Fig. 5: Clock Assembly, R-30 ....................................................................................................................... 40 Fig. 6: Carriage - Incubator ......................................................................................................................... 42 Fig. 7: Methanian Head, Methanian State Bureau .................................................................................... 46 Fig. 8: Stereoscope Viewer, Drawing A-1 .................................................................................................. 47 Fig. 9: Food Mixer Attachment and All Purpose Base ............................................................................... 53 Fig. 10: All Purpose Base and Motor Unit .................................................................................................. 54 Fig. 11: Food Mixer Attachment ................................................................................................................ 55 Fig. 12: Designer's Sketchbook .................................................................................................................. 56 Fig. 13: Dinnerware, Designer's Sketchbook ............................................................................................. 57 Fig. 14: Generator Flashlight, Designer's Sketchbook ............................................................................... 58 Fig. 15: Ronson-Type Lighter, Designer's Sketchbook .............................................................................. 59 Fig. 16: Lame's Lounge Chair ...................................................................................................................... 64 Fig. 17: "Clean Pull" Lawn Conditioner ...................................................................................................... 72 Fig. 18: Eggomobiles ................................................................................................................................... 83 Fig. 19: Eggomobile Features ..................................................................................................................... 84 Fig. 20: Acustom Coupe .............................................................................................................................