From: cab@col.hp.com (Chris Best)
Subject: Re: Illusion
Organization: your service
Lines: 15
NNTP-Posting-Host: hpctdkz.col.hp.com

> This is not a new idea.  At least 10 years ago I got this little gadget with
> a keyboard on the back and 8 LED's in a vertical row on the front.  It has a
> long handle and when you wave it in the air it "writes" the message you typed
> on the keyboard in the air. 

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This is not news.  In fact it's where I got the idea from, since it was
such a neat item.  Mattell made it, I believe, modeled after a "space 
saber" or "light sword" or something likewise theme-y.  My addition was 
using a motor for continuous display, and polar effects in addition to 
character graphics.  I should have protected it when I had the chance.  
No one to kick but myself...

Ten years ago is about right, since I built mine in '84 or '85.