Television Apparatus : Thesis presented in partial fulfullment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Caracas: Tipografia Universal, 1931. Wraps. Very Good. [2], 72, [1] pages. Plus plates. Printed grey wrappers. 8 x 11 inches. Red scribble on front wrapper. Overall minor creasing and indications of use. Errata slip pasted on inside cover and at least one cancel of an equation internally. Rusted staples, paperclip residue, etc in a few places. Wraps. A very early treatise on Television focusing on "The theory, design, construction and study of the performance of a television apparatus of new type." The main thesis is supplemented by an appendix which details additional experimentation (presumably when the author returned to Caracas) which resulted in improved results. The author's apparatus focused on three main advantages: smaller, simpler, and more economical. A detailed review would be interesting, to compare what he proposes versus what was in laboratories at the time at RCA, Westinghouse, etc. As with much in science and technology, it wouldn't be surprising to see that some of the ideas found here made it into commercial use - major innovation centers like MIT were (and continue to be) feeders to industry.

"Melchor Centeno Vallenilla ( Caracas , 27 as November as 1905 - Caracas , 1 as February as 1986 ) Electrical engineer, university professor and inventor. It was the first Latin American to receive a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, awarded by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In honor of his great studies and contributions the School of Electrical Engineering of the Central University of Venezuela in Caracas, bears his name. His expertise as an electrical engineer led to the Venezuelan government requested their assistance for the organization of the state electricity company, CADAFE, CA, being part of the first Board of Directors on as substitute (1958); likewise was a member of the Commission's lighting of the Venezuelan Industrial Standards Commission (COVENIN) (1860-1963). At the National Council of Scientific and Technological Research created, integrates the first Directory (1970-1973), as well as coordination of the Technical Commission of Engineering Sciences in the specialty Electrical Systems and Technologies. He was a member of the Optical Society of America (1942) of the American Institute of Physics), Corresponding Member of the Academy of Physical, Mathematical and Natural (ACFMN) (Venezuela), (1942), the Illuminating Engineering Society of the United States ( 1950); He was a founding member of the Solar Energy Society (1955). Honorary Member of the Venezuelan Association of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, which together with the Venezuelan Association of Industrial Engineers awarded the Distinguished Engineering Industry in 1970. That same year the National Government awarded him the Order Andrés Bello in his second class . And in 1972, the Simon Bolivar University recognized him as Honorary Professor. Until his death, he was active in the laboratory he had built in his house." Wikipedia (translated by Google from the Spanish Wikipedia)

Scarce, with copies at NY Public, LOC, Smithsonian, and MIT as of this writing.