Hyperion submitted a great illustration of cultural change. Today, cigarette smoking is illegal in most public places, but there was a time in which cigarette smoking was normative instead of deviant. This radar analysis instrument, in use through the 1950s through 1980s, includes a built-in cigarette lighter and ashtray:
More on this and like instruments here.
Thanks Hyperion!
Comments 3
Tim — March 9, 2009
I watched the Thai original movie Shutter, in it the toilet paper dispensers have an ashtray on top.
Stephen W — March 9, 2009
Yes, in little tiny airplanes too. (Imagine the pilot's visibility. Nevermind real clouds and fog.) Notice the ashtray built into this armrest.
mprove — March 17, 2009
The SAGE system was used for the US defence system at NORAD. The radar operators had to sit there and wait for a soviet attack. For God's sake this event did not happen.
Actually the guys in the Computer History Musem (where the photo was taken) looked inside the console and found some pencil writings on a wire: "I AM SO BORED."