From Peter Radvan
I was intrigued by the concept of the electronic nose that museums can use to detect fungal attacks on valuable artefacts (2 April, p 42).
However, in place of several “e-noses” at £10,000 each, I would like to offer an alternative device. This sensory apparatus has a number of advantages over the e-nose: it can learn to recognise a very wide variety of airborne odours; it comes equipped with its own locomotion and control apparatus, which means that the device can not only alert museum staff to the presence of fungi, but can locate the precise source, thus saving the staff time and bother; it can learn to map the area it is required to protect, thus needing no supervision while it performs its functions; it can double as an intruder alert, and may even be able to repel said intruders. And it can, subject to a certain procedure, reproduce itself if required.
This device is known as a “dog”. It would not cost £10,000, and only one per museum would be needed. No manufactured device ever made can match the olfactory sensitivity and flexibility of the dog. And it would always be pleased to see you.
Croydon, New South Wales, Australia
