People sometimes get the impression that Max and I were solely involved together in programmed learning. It was important while it lasted. However, we did many things which I recall. For example, there was the matter of THE SILENT SONIC BOOM.
One day, Max, Joan and I were at the outdoor swimming pool in Richmond. At that time the UK was conducting tests on the effect of sonic booms by the new Concorde aircraft as they passed over London. In the Press that day, the Minister of Technology asked for people to communicate their reactions to the sonic booms.
We had heard no booms. Max and I agreed that this was worthy of being reported. So, after considerable discussion, we produce the following, which was copied by Joan and later typed by her. She sent it to the Ministry of Technology. It said:
"ANOTHER BRITISH TECHNOLOGICAL BLUNDER"
Today we were invited to send our complaints about the effects of the sonic boom to the appropriate authorities. We write to you, as the appropriate Governmental body, to complain that we heard no boom today. We listened carefully, out of doors, throughout the morning, except when we were underwater (we were in Richmond Swimming Baths during the test period).
We feel that we have been misled. Surely the Ministry, having announced the booms, should have ensured that they were sonic. We feel let down by the authorities.
May we take this opportunity of bringing another matter to your attention, being the appropriate Ministry?
The coffee dispensing machine here is entirely unreliable and defective. It appears to have been designed for inveterate gamblers with wasted taste buds. Surely you can get that right?
One week later, we received a short letter assuring us that the booms had been audible to many people and the public had sent many comments.
On the matter of the coffee machine, this was a matter for Richmond Council, to whom all questions of reliability and taste should be addressed.
We decided to let the matter rest.
Yours,
Conrad
