What's a prototype?

[clinton_beeler]

I have several prototypes and I've begun to group them.

The first type is completely unique. It was never produced and it doesn't appear that the idea went anywhere.

The second type is clearly destined for production. I have three of the reels that led to the Zebco 33 and I can see exactly what was on R.D. Hull's mind.

The third type is a modification to an existing production reel. I have a first production 33 without the cover lock and slots have been cut into the front and rear covers just where the cover lock went in later versions.

How do you guys define a prototype? I'd appreciate knowing.

Regards,
Clinton

[Steve]

For most of us, a prototype is any reel we don't recognize immediately.

But if you want to get serious:
"a first or original example of something from which others have been or will be developed, a trial model"

[SWIM JIG]

Clinton, Steve said it about right, However we always called the proto type as the designers modle, after the folks at the drawing board got done, then the modle makers got busy and made a (SAMPLE) Proto type, if it looked good, they built a few more to be tested, and if it fit all the items required by a company to make and turn a profit, then it was put into producton, A case in example The ( EDSEL by Ford Motors, made it to production however failed to get the Public to buy many of them. Bill Mitchel of the Mitchel Bently Corperation in Owwaso , Corona Michigan area done a lot of work for FORD, GM and CHRYSLER and still has many of those cars, ( Now you lucky person, Clinton, you may well be sitting on a fortune as very few Protos ever got out of a Manufactors hands, I trust you will put forth a effort to do a book on THE ZERO HOUR BOMB CO. before thaey made any reels till it became ZEBCO, and please Show the pictures of theses reels and tooling, You and your dad are in a position to do the whole story and none would be lost! Most reel companies as they disbanded or moved etc. a Lot of their work is gone foever! Also do you have cut a ways? and do you have (notes as to why the reel didnt go into production ETC? Clinton , Please dont let the history get lost, as you are holding it in your hands for all to see! I belive with roxanne Gerchmans help you can do this! DIDNT mean to get so (rambled on its just unbleveable all this is still avalible!) Col. Milton Lorens aka SWIM JIG your Ohio conection

[clinton_beeler]

Hi Guys,
I am working on the book. Who is Roxanne Gerchmans? I have basically three problems. First, I have so much information that there are discrepancies in some of it. Father says to write it all with references and let the reader sort it all out. Ben says the same (that's what second editions are for).

Second, I have got to get a digital camera (this weekend, honest)(any suggestions?). I need pictures of the reels. Yes I have quite a few reels but...I don't know why I pulled the front cover off of my only production 'standard', but when I did it had a spinnerhead with four line pick-ups (another prototype). I have over 20 of them here now. Finding actual production reels is a bit of a problem at the moment.

Third is the publishing process which I know nothing about. I've been toying with the idea of simply putting it on a CD. That way I can put as many color pictures in it as I want. Ben has kindly offered to help and I'm sure I'll need plenty!

The history section comes in three parts. R.D. Hull, ZHB, and what happened after they met. Then there will be a part on each reel including an exploded diagram and parts list, photographs, and any other information (including stories) I can find. The cut-off point will be 1977. It's a logical point because it's the year that both R.D. and Ralph Lafferty left the company. Did you know that Ralph left to go to Garcia? Somebody had to rescue it from bankruptcy.

BTW: It was 1929 when 'J.a.p' Morrison wired the wristwatch to the flashlight battery and then to the dynamite. The first executive meeting was held in late 1931 and I'm given to understand that incorporation occurred in early 1932. I'll have to check with father on that for the exact dates. He has the minutes of the board meetings from day 1 sitting in the R.D. Hull museum.

Anyway, I am working on it.

Regards,
Clinton
P.S.
I've had a copy of what I believe is the book Roger is going to review since just before christmas. Hope you're all having a happy holiday season! (Father gave me a Julius Vom Hofe reel! I need to ask Steve if you can really study a reel until the patina falls off.)

[Steve]

Clinton, that was a misquote. You can study a reel until YOU get a patina.

[Harvey]

And I will vouch for the fact that Steve has patina and some of it is perment ! "H"

[reelsmith.]

A prototype is any unmarked reel that the eBay seller cannot identify.

At least that's the way it seems.

Dean.

[Harvey]

Defination of "Prototype":
"PROT" = Having the smallest amount an element.
"O" = Hey, I found something!
"TYPE" = I think I will peck on the keyboard and sell it on E=Bay.
Darn, You were right Dean!
"H"

[Guest]

we called everything that didn't come off the production line a prototype. As Milt points out there is lots of variety in there.

As per your publishing questions... Digital photos for (color) print must be pretty high DPI to look worth a hoot. 300 dpi at least, the only limitation is your storage space (and how fast you want to move the files). How many MB is your digital? Always better to save the master photos at the highest quality you can. Copies of the files can always be saved down to lower resolution (or jpegs for if you did this on CDs or images for the Web) afterwords, but this saves you from going back and re-shooting anything if you need the higher quality images...(say half way through the project you opt to do a printed book rather than CDs).
If you are shooting a lot of photos you might want to also consider some of the software that helps to name and organize the files for easy sorting and grouping later. Saves you from opening each one to find the right image...
Also might want to consider making a little lighting set to shoot the reels in (a good photography book should have plans/diagrams). Good even light without light flares and bad reflections will make the finished product look much better and more professional... You CAN do a good job on this yourself.
If that end of it sounds like more than you want to undertake you could get a bid from a professional photographer to shoot the project and make the files for you... it won't cost you to get a bid or two. Doesn't mean you have to go with them if it is too pricey. I would suggest you negotiate to have all the photo rights (copyrights) in that case even if the photographer gets a "photos by" credit on the book or project so you can re-use the photos as you like and for later use in any way with no new charges.

I am sure there must be some folks here that have done books that would have other good tips. I am just in the graphics/art/design end of the business...

I have always said Zebco made some great little reels... they are what I started fishing with.

Best of luck!

[el Lawrence]

hmmm somehow it didn't get my name on there...

Anyway good luck and if you need any more print industry/graphics info. just email and I will send you my .02 worth.

el lawrence

[Ron Mc]

it's ok el, we know you have a spine.

[el Lawrence]

But I don't think it was my spine the guys were checking out over in Austin earlier this month...