Tghe man in the tin hat should read Sean Donnelly's article in vol 2 of the Sean Reid society journal. Plenty of history and speculation about the historic origins of the word.
Fact - In nineteenth century technology and onward, the regulator is the lever that opens the main steam control valve of a steam railway locomotive, the accelerator if you like. ("Throttle" in US English.) I don't know if the same term is used with traction engines etc.
Conjecture - The keys, levers, whatever they are called, are actually the regulators, named using a term borrowed from the exciting new steam railway technology of the time, but then the term got extended from those levers to the whole assembly.
Why are they called regulators?
Why are they called regulators?
Someone enlighten me... (No Puns on Deregulators if at all possible).
# Posted on September 27th 2008 by fedorastain
Re: Why are they called regulators?
Tghe man in the tin hat should read Sean Donnelly's article in vol 2 of the Sean Reid society journal. Plenty of history and speculation about the historic origins of the word.
# Posted on September 27th 2008 by kilfarboy
Re: Why are they called regulators?
hmmm. it's an interesting question. do you by chance have a hot poker?
# Posted on September 27th 2008 by airport
Re: Why are they called regulators?
I always thought it's the same bunch that made SU carbs
# Posted on September 27th 2008 by I_Fel
Re: Why are they called regulators?
They regulate the drone note - and follow regulations.
# Posted on September 27th 2008 by geoffwright
Re: Why are they called regulators?
'They regulate the drone note '
You show great insight Geoff.
# Posted on September 27th 2008 by kilfarboy
Re: Why are they called regulators?
"'Why "regulators" no one has ever been able to tell me, nor any book either, but "regulators" they are"
Liam O'Flynn.
http://www.taramusic.com/features/lofpipes.htm
# Posted on September 27th 2008 by Weejie
Re: Why are they called regulators?
Fact - In nineteenth century technology and onward, the regulator is the lever that opens the main steam control valve of a steam railway locomotive, the accelerator if you like. ("Throttle" in US English.) I don't know if the same term is used with traction engines etc.
Conjecture - The keys, levers, whatever they are called, are actually the regulators, named using a term borrowed from the exciting new steam railway technology of the time, but then the term got extended from those levers to the whole assembly.
??
# Posted on September 28th 2008 by TomB-R
Re: Why are they called regulators?
Wow... interesting. I Thought I'd never find out. Thanks TomB_R
# Posted on September 28th 2008 by fedorastain
Re: Why are they called regulators?
it was something to do with pat garret and Billy the kid . I think.
# Posted on September 28th 2008 by richrua
Re: Why are they called regulators?
because "feckin' yokes that won't stay in tune" is too much of a mouthful ;)
# Posted on September 29th 2008 by macfion