Re: vibrating bar supported by light string to reduce damping

[John Denker <jsd@AV8N.COM>]

Michael J. Moloney wrote:
> A paper of mine on bar vibrations is being reviewed, and the reviewer
> would like me to provide a reference for light string (or sewing thread)
> to markedly reduce damping and permit one to observe the vibrations over
> an extended time (many seconds).
>
> This technique was probably used a century or more ago, but my searches
> so far have not turned up anything. I do recall reading about using
> light threads to support a long wire and bringing the threads close to
> the ear so one could hear quite rich tones from the long wire. That may
> have been in The Physics Teacher.

While you're at it, don't forget to cite Thag, the person who
invented the metal bar, and Oona, the person who invented thread.

:-)