Electric Hair

[Emo-Fan]

Whilst browsing the book, Vail, Mark. The Hammond Organ. Beauty and the B. Second Edition. San Fransisco: Backbeat Books, 2002, p. 112, I noticed the following passage which I quote:

"Metal grows hair [filaments caused by ion transfer], which is conductive. If there's any electricity in the vicinity, it grows faster and right to the electric source, which can short things out."

This quote is in reference to older Hammond organs, but I was wondering if this phenomenon can happen to more modern equipment. I'd visualize big problems with tape decks if that were to happen.

Any engineers care to opine?

[Warped Bezel]

Look in an antique radio and you'd be amazed.


Whilst browsing the book, Vail, Mark. The Hammond Organ. Beauty and the B. Second Edition. San Fransisco: Backbeat Books, 2002, p. 112, I noticed the following passage which I quote:

"Metal grows hair [filaments caused by ion transfer], which is conductive. If there's any electricity in the vicinity, it grows faster and right to the electric source, which can short things out."

This quote is in reference to older Hammond organs, but I was wondering if this phenomenon can happen to more modern equipment. I'd visualize big problems with tape decks if that were to happen.

Any engineers care to opine?

[Copyhat]

Think I have heard issues with older OC-type germanium transistors, as they grow these small "hairs" which induce microphony :P