What is a "capacitor" #1564794?

[Lou Van Anne]

I found one in it original Studebaker: "Endurance Built Products" blue parts envelope? What does it do? What does it fit? Anyone need one?

[StudeRich]

It is a Radio static suppression Condenser. It's for Mounting on the Coil of all '65-'66 Models with a Radio.

[JimsLeadCommander]

Thanks Rich ~~ You nailed it.

[drpreposterous]

Wait, are you sure those aren't just in DeLoreans? Like Doc Brown's.

[StudeRich]

Preposterous!

[bezhawk]

The real question is what is a condenser! In the electronics world they are all called capacitors. Who thought up the word condenser from that?

[Skip Lackie]

The real question is what is a condenser! In the electronics world they are all called capacitors. Who thought up the word condenser from that?

It looks like the answer to your question is Alessandro Volta. From Wikipedia:
"Early capacitors were also known as condensers, a term that is still occasionally used today, particularly in high power applications, like automotive systems. The term was first used for this purpose by Alessandro Volta in 1782, with reference to the device's ability to store a higher density of electric charge than a normal isolated conductor."