Dead Men Tales: The Caretaker of Heating History

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The Caretaker of Heating History

Take a walk through history in this episode with Dan Holohan and his friend Bob as they explore Doug Starbuck’s circa-1872 workshop and the treasures that lie within it.

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Thank you to our sponsor SupplyHouse.com.

Larry Weingarten

I wonder whatever happened to all that nifty equipment that Doug was watching over? Hope it wasn't scrapped!

Yours, Larry

EBEBRATT-Ed

About 30 miles North of me.

I miss those old places. Now all the supply house are chains like F W Webb and Furgeson with fancy counters and tile floors and counter people that know nothing. There use to be a lot of small old supply houses in their weird old buildings with wooden floors that creaked and people that knew the business. They were tucked into all the towns around here. There are still a few, not many. @Larry Weingarten probably went in the scrap pile

mrlarson

This place deserves to be recorded into a series of video productions to educate, preserve, and pass on the history. You could collaborate with the History Channel, what do you think Dan? Thanks for the memories.

Voyager

I concur with mrlarson. A video walkthrough of that place would be fantastic!

advhtg

Thanks for this. These times of high levels of fundamental skills may be returning. I'm banking on it. Civilisation is not simply going to continue moving forward as we have become used to.

DanHolohan

Thanks, but there’s nothing to film. It all went to scrap years ago. Just memories now, but when you have it in your head, you own it. 👍

Doug gave me some of his books, which I treasure. 

Voyager

DanHolohan said:

Thanks, but there’s nothing to film. It all went to scrap years ago. Just memories now, but when you have it in your head, you own it. 👍

Doug gave me some of his books, which I treasure. 

That is sad. Sounded like a one of a kind place.

bill_brooks

head first.....
tools second.....

my philosophy exactly.

DanHolohan

Thanks, @My570. The first time I used the term "Deadmen" was when I wrote a poem. I used to recite it from memory at the start of the steam seminars I did when I was quite young. That poem is here. I was a big fan of the poet, Robert Service, back then:

And he studied the steam and the work of Dead Men,

Who had come years before and who weren’t there then

To teach him the art he so wanted to know,

So when he heard of this class, well, he just had to go.

MarjPinard

I love steam heat, loved it as a kid and now that I'm 80 I appreciate it even more. Thanks for sharing the history (and hints!!)

DanHolohan

Thanks for listening. 

blister

I own Starbucks books
and I found a lead running rope with Starbucks name on the clamp
in antique shop in Mount Victory Ohio many moons ago