Hi 'Philosophical' Bruce,
Not so sure what you mean by 'Failure is hereditary' - Natch not taken personally, as you prob haven't met me mum/dad who expired way back.
Father was trying construct a 'Viewmaster' in the loft from genuine 'Blue Prints' and those Red Sylvania metal sheathed EF50s left over from the war, when the Yanks went home.
Mother was a reader of books 'till I brought home a Pye V14C from my first employment in the '50s.
She quickly gave up reading, as the V14C had a continuing line hold problem, and she couldn't both turn the page, and twiddle the Line Hold knob at the same time. She eventually expired after many years of conversations with 'Terry Wogan' - Happily.
Admit as a callow youth, threw out Pye's wonderful flywheel whatsit stuff, and fitted triggered synch circuit pinched from a Decca DM4C of the time. Most customers were happy as didn't need replace the PCF82 every two months. Some however complained of interlace problems, as I couldn't quite get the alternate field scan to start at the appropriate time.
Suspect such customers have moved on, as not a word for some few years.
Talking 'Tight Wads' - While ago, there was a Telly basher in every Norfolk/Suffolk village. They were either robbers or bought spares from a certain UK firm.
Knew a chap, who when mending VCR, used to buy new screws for every one removed to do repair - He was an ex 'PYE' tv man, though too young to have devised the 'Flywheel Synch'.
Eventually, all robbers and strange folks either retired, or got Government jobs, where cost isn't an issue, even today.
Myself - Got close to the Council local tip, where stuff might be got free, if mend their horrible plasma.
Tip folks always go for plasma, as size is most everything to Intellectuals.
Upshot - Of course all other local menders totally expired, so seems I'm the only one left, but have good chum from the 60s who likes folks, and can explain to customers why I can't mend their thing - and they love him for it.
Never had the knack me'self, not being particularly sociable to folks who assume I'm out to screw them.
Mention, as a social aspect is surely a good thing, otherwise, telly mending might drive one nuts - Chris
PS - Another old mending chum called yesterday, and suggested Plasma is now 'Cactus' - Hadn't noticed, but he's a chap who doesn't now mend but reads the runes - Don't me'self, too busy still trying mend the crap.
