Cygnus-1X Metal Detector

[PowerDubs]

If what he was working on was true to his word- what we lost, what the world lost.... to me was in the realm of great projects the like of (the real) Tesla.

It truly would have had widespread impact.

 

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[vferrari]

If what he was working on was true to his word- what we lost, what the world lost.... to me was in the realm of great projects the like of (the real) Tesla.

It truly would have had widespread impact.

Fascinating. So what scientific principle was being applied to the detector that was on the path to change the world?

 

[malenkai]

Fascinating. So what scientific principle was being applied to the detector that was on the path to change the world?

All associates are under NDA. While that may or may not have expired due to Richard's passing (IANAL), I think we should respect the NDA until his family decides how, when, and if to move forward.

 

[smokeythecat]

Malenkai, since it was a sole proprietorship, which I believe ends when the proprietor passes, unlike a corporation, the NDA's are now probably invalid and the other party is not here. That said, I was just supposed to test a machine, which never happened, so I never quite knew what he was working on. So for me it's like the old math equation, half of nothing is still nothing. It's an unfortunate thing. I would have liked to test one in the horrid red dirt in Virginia where I (think) I still have a permission. Sad. With covid I'm hoping I can still get to the site, but nothing is really certain, is it?

 

[malenkai]

Malenkai, since it was a sole proprietorship, which I believe ends when the proprietor passes, unlike a corporation, the NDA's are now probably invalid and the other party is not here. That said, I was just supposed to test a machine, which never happened, so I never quite knew what he was working on. So for me it's like the old math equation, half of nothing is still nothing. It's an unfortunate thing. I would have liked to test one in the horrid red dirt in Virginia where I (think) I still have a permission. Sad. With covid I'm hoping I can still get to the site, but nothing is really certain, is it?

Yes, I was supposed to test one as well. I was an associate, and I have a degree in electrical engineering, but I have never practiced EE. I understand what he was trying to do, but only at a high level. My thought is legally we can probably offer opinions on what he was trying to do, but I just feel more comfortable leaving that up to the family at this time.

 

[smokeythecat]

Like I've said before, I never really knew what he was working on. I don't even know how my current machines work. All I really cared about is that they did work. On a bright note, if he was ready for production, then I assume there are files and patent applications and all that legal stuff and his heirs could at least sell it to a major manufacturer, and if the machine was going to be good, some company might want to make them. I do really wish I could have tested it in the bad Virginia dirt.

 

[malenkai]

The last material development I recall was that he had completed the circuit board math and designs, and was sending that out to get printed. I do not know if the prints came back or not.

 

[Carl-NC]

So has anyone been in contact with the family? Does anyone even know how to contact the family? If I were to wager, I'd wager that this whole thing fizzles into nothing.

 

[Jason in Enid]

So has anyone been in contact with the family? Does anyone even know how to contact the family? If I were to wager, I'd wager that this whole thing fizzles into nothing.

From the timeline so far with all the "delays", I'm thinking that nothing ever got out of his head into a physical form.

 

[chub]

Funny, I was thinking of this the other day. Did anyone actually know him personally?

chub

 

[smokeythecat]

No.

 

[PowerDubs]

No. But the obituary is online. Poor guy to have such a big dream and not be able to get it done.

 

[Carl-NC]

Sometime after his death I wrote a letter to his wife asking what was to become of his work. I got no answer.

 

[PowerDubs]

It really is a shame, because what he was stating to be able to do capability and feature wise was mine blowing.

And the fact that he had said he had beta parts that he had been tested and proven to work really makes me sad if it was indeed true.

Much like the experiments of Nichola Tesla, who knows what we may have had.

 

[cudamark]

Richard also said he had a backup plan in case of his death.....someone who would take over and finish the project. Makes me wonder if this wasn't all just a fantasy.......

 

[PowerDubs]

I don’t doubt the mans intentions or motivation.

He never met me, but he sent myself and several others books on his own dime- about metal detecting that he thought would explain to us how the electronics systems analyzed and produced and how they were affected with things.

He was genuinely of the mindset that everything we have right now is crude and pales in comparison to what he was building.

I can 100% say I feel he was in no way a con man as he never asked for a penny from me and I doubt from anyone else as well. He was also astute and aware enough to make all of us sign a raised seal NDA before getting involved.

In fact he even had mentioned more than once that us who were to be field testers could get shares in the company once things moved along.


If he had a back up plan and gave it to someone to move forward, that gives me hope that the technology may still come out somewhere.

I am involved with other areas of other business and know that things like this can take several years to hit the market so we may think nothing is happening right now and then be surprised in three or four years.

I don’t care if he sold the rights to minelab and they want to charge $10,000 for it, if what he spoke of comes to fruition I will be first in line to buy one.