What is it?

[scifan57]

Here's another photo.

 

[TheRambler]

it looks like an old fashioned petrol lamp!

 

[scifan57]

Ii is a lamp,but not a petrol lamp.It doesn't use liquid fuel.
Here's another picture.

 

[fleur07]

Nevermind just saw the other photo.

 

[AdmiralAdama]

Is it fueled by sterno gel?
AA

 

[scifan57]

Not Sterno,the fuel comes in solid chunks,and is placed into the bottom section.Something else is placed into the top section.

 

[scifan57]

There is a chemical reaction between the contents of the two sections,the result is fed to the burner.

 

[AdmiralAdama]

Calcium carbide granules and water produces flammable acetylene gas.
AA

 

[scifan57]

Good enough,Admiral,you supplied the answer to the final clue.

Your turn,Admiral.

 

[AdmiralAdama]

What is this device, what was it used for and what spin off did it inspire?
AA

 

[scifan57]

It's the Muntz Stereo-Pak,used for playing stereo music in car tape players.It's later spin-off is the 8 Track cartridge,also used mainly for playing stereo music in car tape players.The 8 track offered twice the amount of music in the same size cartridge and was of simplified construction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereo-Pak

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8-track_tape

 

[AdmiralAdama]

You're close. The Muntz is also a spin off. The pictured cartridge was developed in 1954,
for a specific medium. If you "clap for the Wolfman" he'll take you too it.

AA

 

[scifan57]

How about the Fidelipac,a cartridge system used by radio stations for playback of such things as commercials,station identifications,music,etc..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fidelipac

 

[AdmiralAdama]

That's it. Good sleuthing.
Over to you scifan.
AA

 

[scifan57]

Admiral,do you have a player for these cartridges?