Postblogging Technology, June 1956: The Querulous Old Man And the Central Bank

That is quite the artist's impression of the King of Rock and Roll. 

R_.,C_.
Shaughnessy,
Vancouver,
Canada


Dear Father:

In anticipation of your question, this month's Fortune, claims that Sievert Thurston and Western Hotels now have the inside track on Uncle Henry's "Hawaiian Village." My first assumption is that Thurston planted the story with Fortune, probably just the column editor. It's not like Henry Luce is taking an interest in our affairs! That doesn't mean Hilton is out. My theory is that Uncle Henry is shaking them down, and that it will blow up in Uncle Henry's face, as usual, and that we should keep our money out of Uncle Henry's hands, as usual. I mean, his developments usually do get built, and Hawaii is the coming thing, but this just seems a bit rich for my blood. 

"One of the earlier geodesic domes constructed in the United States." Photo credit https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Harald-Reportagen, or Kurt Liese (1915--2010)

 

Your Loving Daughter,

Ronnie

The Chairman's Little Helper: A Technical Appendix to Postblogging, May 1956

 (If you're wondering over The Engineer, my tentative theory is that it briefly appeared on the Hold shelves during my August trip and has by now been retracted back into the stacks, possibly without notice of same reaching my Library Account, although it is at least as likely that I just didn't register some notification or email. I shall try again.)

I thought about running this last week, but, on the other hand, it's officially a thing when there's two different articles about barbiturates in the same week. The age of Homo medicus! (Which turns out to be some dietician-anthropologist-paleontologist science thing, my apologies to Edward H. Hagen for not searching out some more authentically patronising Fifties  label for patients using psychotherapeutics. 

Postblogging Technology, May 1956, II: "A Shabby Little Man"

Too old to rock and roll. 

R_.C_.,
Shaughnessy,
Vancouver,
Canada




Dear Father:

Just a month to the end of school! It's like I'm eighteen again, except for the part where I'm not! We have arranged for the kids to fly with  Dr. K. K., who is flying into Vancouver to give a "job" paper, and is, like graduate students everywhere, willing to take on a bit of extra work involving minding the younger set. Uncle George is right. It pays to cultivate these connections! 

Speaking of which, I have passed my FBI clearance check and am now allowed to work with Bill and David (in a very junior capacity, mind!) on their initial public offering, which will go ahead next year, obviously you didn't hear it from me, etc. I guess you should especially not tell the FBI, all things considered!

Your Loving Daughter,

Ronnie

Postblogging Technology, May 1956, I: A New Age

R_.C_.,
Shaughnessy,
Vancouver,
Canada



Dear Father:

Interesting to see this in 1956!

I am glad to hear that you will take on the children at Nakusp in July and for the first half of August. It doesn't seem fair to deprive them of their summer just because their parents have to make some pretence of furthering their careers. And while the senior partners might be able to get away with "Sell in May and go away," that is certainly not me this  year! 

It is quite exciting to see the Conway coming to America, and while I do not know the Rolls Royce people behind it as well as I know the Tyne team, who knows what might happen? I see that Canadian Pacific is set to adopt it as well. And having begun with aviation, so shall I end, with a little victory lap at the latest sad Proteus debacle. Turboprops are harder to build than they look! What that means for BOAC is entirely another matter. But probably 707s, and it is very hard not to be a bit smug about that, as the British really have brought it on themselves. 

Your Loving Daughter,

Ronnie