The video discusses the history, development, and evolution of tornado sirens, also known as civil defense sirens or air raid sirens. The narrator begins by setting a scene of a tornado warning and then delves into the history of sirens, dating back to 1799 when Scottish physicist John Robinson invented the first siren. The video then jumps to the post-World War II era, where the US developed civil defense sirens to warn of incoming atomic bombs. These sirens were later repurposed for natural disasters, including tornadoes.
The narrator explains the different types of sirens, including electro-mechanical and electronic sirens, and the various tones and models used for different purposes, such as tornado warnings and attack alerts. They also discuss the dual-use of sirens for both nuclear attacks and natural disasters, which was permitted by President Richard Nixon in the 1970s.
The video showcases famous electro-mechanical siren models, including the Federal Signal Thunderbolt siren, and electric siren models, such as the Federal Signal Modulator. The narrator also touches on the future of tornado sirens, with some arguing that they are no longer necessary due to modern technology, but the narrator believes that redundancy is a good thing when it comes to saving lives.
Throughout the video, the narrator shares their enthusiasm for tornado sirens and their unique sounds, which they find both creepy and fascinating. The video concludes with the narrator's thoughts on the importance of preserving tornado sirens and the need to address the limitations of the current system, particularly in small towns and rural areas.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The first siren was invented by Scottish physicist John Robinson in 1799.
2. Robinson's siren used a high-speed rotating disc with uniformly spaced holes to make noise.
3. The siren was improved upon in the 1800s by Cagnir De La Tour and Professor Joseph Henry.
4. Many sirens of the 1800s were steam-powered and used as fog horns for lighthouses.
5. The oldest still-unused siren is the Federal Signal Model 2.
6. The D-cott siren was a notable U.S. siren used during the 1930s.
7. The use of air raid sirens became standard during World War II.
8. The Civil Defense Act of 1949 led to the creation of fallout shelters and the installation of outdoor sirens.
9. The first official tornado warning occurred in 1948 at Tinker Air Force Base.
10. The first use of a civil defense siren to warn a community of an incoming tornado happened on June 11, 1958, in Wichita, Kansas.
11. There are two basic siren designs: electro-mechanical and electronic.
12. Electro-mechanical sirens use a chopper that spins super fast from an electric motor to make noise.
13. Electronic sirens are similar to electric speakers used in stadiums.
14. Different siren alerts have different meanings, such as the alert sound, attack tone, and high-low sound.
15. The alternating wail sound is considered the creepiest of all siren sounds.
16. There are different models of sirens, including the Federal Signal Thunderbolt, Federal Signal Modulator, Whelan Vortex, and Whelan WPS Series.
17. Some sirens can use a recorded voice to provide additional warning.
18. The future of tornado sirens is uncertain, with some believing they are redundant due to modern technology.
19. However, many argue that redundancy is a good thing when it comes to people's lives, and sirens can still be useful for those who may not receive alerts on their phones.
20. The NOAA Weather Radio is the preferred choice for an in-home warning system, particularly in small towns and rural areas.