Audio: Slave Badges

"S" is for Slave badges. Slave badges served as the physical proof required to demonstrate the legal status of slaves hired out by their masters. Laws controlling such hiring began early, and badges or "tickets"were mentioned by 1751; wearing them was mandated by 1764. In 1783, with its incorporation, Charleston immediately passed badge laws. Although other cities had similar laws, only Charleston badges have survived.

By 1806 badges were valid for a calendar year and were sold at varying fees, in specific categories: mechanics, fruiterers (hucksters), fishers, porters, and servants. All sported a number, a category, and a year. Thebadges were made of copper of various shapes-round, diamond, or square-depending upon the official maker. By the twenty-first century, slave badges had become highly collectible, often selling for thousands of dollars.

To listen, see:
"S" is for Slave Badges (http://southcarolinapublicradio.org/post/s-slave-badges)

The Hygenic Teller Machine

Two Turkish high school students have invented a machine that disinfects banknotes with ultraviolet light, according to a report by Anadolu Agency.

Working with their IT instructor, Osman Bolat and Berat Basara drew up and built the prototype for the "Hygenic Teller Machine," an ATM-like device that accepts banknotes, blasts them with UV light and thenreturns the disinfected notes to the HTM user.

"During our study, we saw that the growth of the bacteria on money, when exposed to ultraviolet light, stopped," Arpaci told AA. "We developed a device that we named HTM ... We have also applied to get apatent for it."

To read the complete article, see:
Filthy lucre? Clean it up in the 'Hygenic Teller Machine'(https://www.atmmarketplace.com/news/filthy-lucre-clean-it-up-in-the-hygenic-teller-machine/)