MEETING DR. BROWN

The website is all about his life and work; here, let us focus on defining and celebrating his outstanding personal qualities.
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Neenie
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MEETING DR. BROWN

Post by Neenie »

[on Tuesday June 13 2006 I moved this topic from the "Extended Discussion" section to the newly retitled "Character" section. I think it will be good to have all this discussion gathered under a single header. --PS]


Elizabeth, you asked where I met Dr. Brown. It was September 1972 on Catalina Island. My boyfriend was care taker of the closed Bird Park for Dr. Brown. They were working on the foggless mirror project. Dr. Brown loved the sun and would lather up with olive oil. He had the best tan! He got me addicted to peanuts and M&M's. Around 4pm, there was always a bowl within reach though he had restraint with this treat. His wife would nurse a small glass of "Black Velvet". They were quite a team. Never did they put on "airs". I hadn't a clue to how important they were to this planet.
Neenie
Trickfox
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Re: MEETING DR. BROWN

Post by Trickfox »

Neenie wrote: I hadn't a clue to how important they were to this planet.
Neenie
Well neither did I or millions of other people on Earth there Neenie, so thank you for pointing out this most precious side of Dr. Brown and his familly. In many ways his legend will soon begin to look more like Dr Einstein's, so any other little things you or anyone else who met him can remember about him and his familly will help all of us to develop this picture more clearly.

Raymond
The psychopropulsier (as pointed out in the book The Good-bye man by Linda Brown and Jan Lofton) is a Quantum entanglement project under development using Quantum Junctions. Join us at http://www.Peeteelab.com
Victoria Steele
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Post by Victoria Steele »

Neenie!

I remember Bird Park!

Didn't they at one time have a whole bunch of different birds there and this enormous aviary that was like two stories high? It was closed the year I was there and the tour guide said that all of the birds had been sent to different places, so that was kind of sad because it must have been beautiful. Very beautiful with original tiles and spanish arches. But what in the world was Dr. Browns interest in that place?

So what was " The fogless mirror?" I know that there is something on the market now that does that, so guys can shower and shave etc. Was that it? Were they building the things there? As I remember "Bird Park was enormous. Did your husband take care of all of it for Dr. Brown?

How great this is, someone to talk with who knew both Josephine and Dr. Brown ! Please, please ... tell us more! How did your husband happen to meet the Browns, can you tell us? Perhaps he has some memories he could share too! Victoria
Mark Culpepper
The Dean
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The Aviary?

Post by Mark Culpepper »

Neenie ... thank you so much too from me for starting this post. I hope you don't

mind sort of being the "hostess of the site" because I know that you are going to get many questions!

I knew Bird Park too! Hiked past it several times on the way up one of the trails that went into the interior of the island. What a truely magical place. I visited a little artist studio right next to the park and from up there you get a really good look at how big the Avairy was. Must have been wonderful filled with exotic birds but when I was there I believe there were children playing in it. I thought that was a wonderful spot for a playground.

But I adsd my question. What in the world was Townsend Browns interest in that facility. One of the building was sort of large . Did he have a staff? Can you remember?

Don't whisper the word AVIARY to Bill Moore. He'll be convinced that this was all coded material for a secret project.

Paul, you there? so, before someone else asks you, was there any connection do you think, however slight between what Moore has been saying about that super secret group and Dr. Browns Aviary?

More little asides about Josephine, if you can Neenie. I have wondered what kind of a person was and now I get a chance to ask someone who knows! Thanks so much for your input! Mark
Paul S.
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Re: The Aviary?

Post by Paul S. »

Mark Culpepper wrote: was there any connection do you think, however slight between what Moore has been saying about that super secret group and Dr. Browns Aviary?
At this stage in the research, I have to fall back on what I actually know to be true. And in this case, what I know is that Dr. Brown's "aviary" on Catalina was an actual (former) wild bird habitat. A giant bird cage.

Bill Moore's "Aviary" was a bunch of code-named supposed government operatives with alleged knowledge of UFO contact and other clandestine activities. Here is a link to an online article about Moore and his 'Aviary':

http://www.qtm.net/~geibdan/newsc/av3.html

It appears to me at this writing that the only link between the two is the use of the word 'aviary.' I have just not dug deep enough into Bill Moore's use of the terminology to be able to say otherwise.

In the words of one of my colleague/sources, whenever Bill Moore's name comes up, "my eyes roll back in my head."

I realize that's not very helpful, but now you know as much as I do on this particular topic.

--PS
Paul Schatzkin
aka "The Perfesser"
"At some point we have to deal with the facts, not what we want to believe is true." -- Jack Bauer
Mark Culpepper
The Dean
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yeah, but

Post by Mark Culpepper »

Paul and Neenie,

Yeah, but ... what was Dr. Brown DOING there.

Look at it from my standpoint. I am familiar with Catalina Island. Its wonderful! But why would Dr. Brown locate himself there, get a caretaker for this relatively big piece of property and he waswhat , MAKING MIRRORS????

If someone had told me that about him my eyes would have rolled back in my head too.

Neenie, How long did you know Dr. and Mrs. Brown? and did they ever talk about how much they moved in the past? Or anything that you might be able to share with us. I just can't figure why he would move to the island. And this is 1972 .... he died in 85. So did they stay on the island the whole time then until his death? Mark
Victoria Steele
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Mr. Moores Aviary

Post by Victoria Steele »

Neenie, Paul and everybody,

Did Dr. Browns Aviary have anything to do with William Moores Aviary?

Sort of hard to tell, as everything is with Mr. Moore. Maybe he will comment?

Victoria
twigsnapper
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first impressions

Post by twigsnapper »

I met Townsend Brown many years ago. I was a young man then and impressed very much with the military. When I met Brown he was out of his element and into mine and I was supposed to be his military escort. Turned out he taught me more about courage than any miltary leader ever has, and you are right Neenie, he was afraid of nothing. I expect as his story unfolds that will be one mark of his character that remained strong. Twigsnapper
Neenie
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Questions about Dr. Brown on Catalina Island

Post by Neenie »

Dr. Brown was renting the vacant Bird Park that use to be owned by Wrigley ( the chewing gum magnate) There were a few of the birds that had excaped and stayed around. He had a company, "Catalina Island No Fog Mirror" which was a mirror that you could use in the shower to shave. I was there for three years. We (my now husband) lived in the Ostrach House, which has since been turned into an artist colony. Dr. Brown charged $10.00 a month. We had the use of the big building for cooking and showering. A total womb against reality. Saw the Brown's when they had moved to Coronado Island. He slept out on the porch there also. Mrs. Brown was a stabling force with patience. She was the saver. Saw her once filling a disposable salt shaker. They were mentors that showed us a different way to view life. Being use to black/white/rigid/prude teachings, they taught us both the art of non judging. But Dr. Brown couldn't get me to eat the gross things he seemed to enjoy. Not a chance will I eat cows tongue!
twigsnapper
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four oclock peanut butter

Post by twigsnapper »

Ha, ha .... Neenie, bringing back fond memories. When I said that he wasn't afraid of anything maybe I should have included food in that category! I tried to get him with snails, but that didn't phase him either.The most common thing was his love of chocolate and peanuts ... Always had a jar of peanut butter though. Standard issue for him. He told me that a person can live a long time on peanut butter, and I believed him.

The four oclock pause for tea was important to him. Did he ever try to get you to eat that fish and sour cream mixture on crackers? .... that pretty much did me in, but he loved it. ah! thanks for bringing back the smile and the memory of his good company. Twigsnapper
Victoria Steele
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Coronado Island too?

Post by Victoria Steele »

Neenie , you said many interesting things but the one thing that caught my curiosity was that you visited with them on Coronado Island? Were they just visiting, or had they moved there?

I know that Paul will probably reprimand me for getting ahead of his story .... but ... but ... this is fascinating. If he LIVED there I am just beginning to get an idea of what life with him must have been like. Tell me a little about Josephine, if you can. I have wondered how difficult living with a man like that must have been but you seem to think that even in the 1970's they were still very much together as a team. That sure is encouraging.

The three years that you were on the island ... was Dr. Brown there too, working on this "electric mirror?" You know, its been very carefully explained to us that he was not a Dr. but that people who knew him well called him that out of respect ... was that how you referred to him? or were they simply Mr. and Mrs Brown?

It seems like such an ideal spot, oh gosh, am I ever jealous! $10.00 a month? So you lived in that little stone cottage on the bank? I didn't get a chance to go up there but it was charming and there were flowers everywhere. Must have been romantic enough because you have mentioned your boyfriend and then husband to be

..... I just wonder how many romances started on that island. Oh, by the way ... since you are new to the group, I wear the mantle of the resident romantic. All I can say about your three years there ..... is ..... SIGH ..... Victoria
Martin Calloway
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interesting thing to say

Post by Martin Calloway »

Neenie,

I feel as though I have fallen into a "Catalina old home week," but you were the only one lucky enough to have actually lived there!

I used to fly into the Airport in the Sky and then take the cab down the hill into Avalon. Enjoyed the sights of the buffalo (bison, I guess, to be proper) and even some red fox and eagles. Quite a place. I can see now why a man who travelled so much would have picked it as his final resting place and actually I find it kind of touching that he picked his plot next to a bench, for future visitors. I have determined to go there someday soon, to pay my respects.

Some have said that he had serious lung problems most of his later life. Did you notice that bothering him then? And its interesting to me that you would mention that he was using olive oil as a suntan lotion. Never really thought of that but medically I suppose its better for you than most other products.. .....

Getting back to what Victoria asked about Coronado. Did he say anything about the Navy base there? Just trying to figure why he would go there ...
Of course we know that Paul will eventually tell us all of this ... but we are trying to get a jump on him here. Curiosity! Martin
Mark Culpepper
The Dean
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flying saucers

Post by Mark Culpepper »

Neenie,

You obviously had a chance to talk with Dr. Brown at some length. Did he ever mention his work with " flying saucers" or any of that type of thing? Or did he not mention his association with strange things like that at all?

You said that he gave you a new way of looking at things so I am really interested, from a teachers viewpoint, how he broached new subjects with you. What were your discussions like with the man (and Josephine too) I am actually quite jealous that you had the opportunity to get to know them at all, because I have the feeling that they did not share themselves that openly. So I am sort of imposing on your memories.

You mentioned that they didn't put on "airs" (which is an expression that I love, by the way . ) But you seem to feel that they were somehow VERY SPECIAL and I just wondered what gave you that impression. Thanks Neenie, Mark
Pat Q.
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Doc Brown and My Catalina

Post by Pat Q. »

By Patrick Quillin

I had the great privilege of working for and being around T. Townsend 'Doc' Brown for nearly 3 years.

In March of 1972 I walked in to the Santa Catalina Island Company (26 miles from Los Angeles) and asked if they needed any help. They said 'no, but on the other side of the room was a gentleman who said "I might need some help." We talked. I started work within a few days as the general 'go-pher' for the Catalina Electric Mirror Company. Doc Brown loved to shave in the shower, yet the mirror fogged up. Simple physics said that if you heat the mirror, then the condensation point is raised and the mirror doesn't fog. Doc started manufacturing these electric mirrors at the old Wrigley Bird Park. I painted, cleaned, repaired, hauled, and did whatever was necessary to get this production process moving. Alas, Underwriter's Lab (UL) was the seal of approval necessary to sell the electric mirrors.

Doc was not prepared for the bureaucracy that developed over this approval process. The company bogged down. You can now buy 'no fog' shower mirrors from various vendors. My duties with the Doc waned over the next year and he became more friend and mentor than employer. I continued to live in the 'ostrich house' at the Bird Park for the next 3 years. I lived for $10 per month rent on a pristine 5 acres of southern California property one milefrom the ocean with nothing to do all winter but enjoy the tranquility and beauty. A few years later foolish youth thought that I could improve on things and I left the island.

Doc was the first real male mentor that showed me a more relaxed way of being. He had a gentle spirit. Perhaps too gentle for the predatory business people who would try to take advantage of him. He liked to have a nice tan. He loved to travel while Mrs. Brown was the more frugal of the two. Doc once told Mama around the summer of 1974 "Josephine, I've got to go to Hawaii!" To which she replied: "Townsend, you're not going anywhere!" He had a curiously missing finger that he brushed off as 'some accident.' He had a noticeable wheeze, which was caused by lung surgery at Stanford Medical Center when they discovered that Doc had a fungal infection in his lungs acquired from his boyhood days of swimming in ponds in Ohio. Doc loved to sleep outside. He would regularly take up residence on some patio wherever he and Mama lived. He and Mama lived in a harbor view home that was near the Zane Gray Hotel in Avalon for around a year, then moved to a smaller apartment in town.

Doc gave me shelter from the storm. A time to heal and grow. I met my wife of 33 years, Noreen, while in Doc's employ. Mrs. Brown or 'Mama' was a wonderful lady who was generous with meals and allowed us to watch their TV, because we did not have a TV. Mama, too, had a wheeze from her smoking habit. Her smile and laugh was prominent wherever she was.

One night after dinner, Doc said "would you like to see a speaker?" Sure. He brought out the strangest contraption that looked like a 2 foot squared box with a loose wire grid in the middle, then plugged it in to the stereo. It made a nice breeze as a fan and also provided exceptional sound as a speaker. Never saw anything like it in my life. That was when I began realizing that my Doc was no normal employer. Doc began speaking of sidereal radiation, some electro-magnetic beam that emanated from the center of the universe and could not be shielded by any material or thickness of mountain. Doc found that the sidereal radiation 'beat' cleanly as well on the surface of the earth as it did deep within a cave in Hawaii. Doc spent some time trying to figure out the meaning of sidereal radiation, including trying to plot major shifts in the stock market against the sidereal readings that he was constantly monitoring. Doc once told me that he thought the Egyptians built the pyramids because dragging large rocksslabs across the desert would lessen the gravity and weight of the rocks, which could then be lifted in to place on the pyramids by a few men. Having no training in physics or astronomy, I could only listen and offer cursory comments about the Doc¹s speculation on these strange subjects.

Doc Brown was a fine man, a rare mentor, a genius inventor, and a fun loving guy who cherished his wife and children, Joseph and Linda. I was lucky to know him.

--Patrick Quillin
Neenie
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Victoria answers

Post by Neenie »

Victoria, I've tried to answer your questions and get a failed message every time. Lets see if this one goes through.
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