September 20, 2006

Eavesdropping Mike Listens In on Umpire’s Scraps at Ball Park (Dec, 1940)

Filed under: General — @ 11:17 am
Source: Popular Science ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Dec, 1940
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Eavesdropping Mike Listens In on Umpire’s Scraps at Ball Park
So THAT baseball fans may eavesdrop on arguments between the umpire and players next spring, a “disappearing microphone” has been included in a new public-address system at a Wichita, Kans., stadium. Pressing a foot lever allows the microphone to pop from its underground box near the home plate. Through loudspeakers, the spectators then enjoy the novelty of hearing what is going on. In case a dispute becomes too heated for sensitive ears, the mike hastily retreats. As at left, it may also be used for announcements.

September 18, 2006

AMERICAN BOYS BILL OF RIGHTS (Dec, 1947)

Filed under: Advertisements, Just Weird, Toys and Games — @ 3:05 pm
Source: Popular Science ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Dec, 1947
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Ahh yes that elusive 73rd amendment, “Those under voting age have the right to SHOOT SAFELY” it’s sandwiched between the 72nd (the right to SLEEP SOUNDLY) and before the 74th (the right to TWO ALL BEEF PATTIES in your Big Mac).

AMERICAN BOYS BILL OF RIGHTS

We… The Boys of America believe in these OURRIGHTS: the right to LIBERTY, hard-won by our forefathers ~ the right to HAPPINESS that comes with the growth of a healthy body and mind ~ the right to TRAINING, thoughtfully planned by parents, school and church ~ the right to OPPORTUNITY, to live, learn, play and grow up in the time-honored traditions of a free people ~ and the right to learn to SHOOT SAFELY. We recognize and accept the responsibility imposed by these Rights. But ~ until we are old enough to vote we expect YOU ~ our fathers, mothers and other citizens who elect America’s city, county, state and federal officers ~ to be eternally vigilant that our RIGHTS be not abridged!

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Collapsible Umbrella Fits in Bag (Jul, 1932)

Filed under: Origins — @ 10:32 am
Source: Modern Mechanix ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Jul, 1932
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Collapsible Umbrella Fits in Bag

HERE is the um-brella that shoppers and travelers everywhere have been looking for. It can be folded up and packed neatly in a bag or grip when traveling, or tucked away into the shopping bag when venturing out on days when low hanging clouds forecast a shower.

The collapsible umbrella is being made in sizes for both men and women and can be obtained in a variety of colors —a feature that will appeal to the women.
Photo on the right shows small size of umbrella when folded up.

Monoxide Thumbs a Ride (Mar, 1947)

Filed under: Automotive — @ 10:16 am
Source: Popular Science ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Mar, 1947
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Monoxide Thumbs a Ride

Drowsy while driving? Make sure carbon monoxide isn’t poisoning you at the wheel. A checkup may save a life.

CARBON monoxide is a hitchhiker. We all know that this odorless gas, generated by an automobile at the rate of about a cubic foot a minute, will quickly turn a closed garage into a death chamber, but we are apt to overlook the fact that it rides along each time we drive out on the highway. Its handiwork shows up in traffic accident news more frequently than most persons “realize. The police* reports may say that the driver “apparently fell asleep,” or perhaps a big question mark appears in the space where the cause of the accident should be recorded, since no one remains alive to tell about it.

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“Paddle Wheels” Form Television Aerial (Feb, 1940)

Filed under: Communications — @ 9:50 am
Source: Popular Science ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Feb, 1940
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“Paddle Wheels” Form Television Aerial

No matter what you guessed to be the purpose of the windmill-shaped thing above, you’d probably be wrong. Actually, it’s the newest fashion in television transmitting antennas. Just completed for a broadcasting station at Los Angeles, Calif., the big aerial measures sixty feet long and will be mounted vertically.

AMAZING-NEW-ELECTRONIC HAND SHOCKER (Feb, 1950)

Filed under: Advertisements, Toys and Games — @ 9:25 am
Source: Popular Mechanics ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Feb, 1950
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AMAZING-NEW-ELECTRONIC HAND SHOCKER
Enjoy hours of harmless entertainment at home and at work. Inclosed in a plastic, pocket size case.
$2.98 COD in U.S.A
BORN MFG. CO.
P.O. Box 461
TIMES SQ. STA. NEW YORK CITY

Compressed Air Fire Engine Shoots Real Stream of Water (Jan, 1932)

Filed under: DIY, Toys and Games — @ 7:35 am
Source: How To Build It ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Jan, 1932
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Compressed Air Fire Engine Shoots Real Stream of Water

WITH a set of coaster wagon wheels and axles, an old auto gas tank and steering wheel, two tire pumps and odds and ends of lumber, you can build this novel little fire engine which will squirt a stream of water to a considerable height. It is equipped with a powerful brake and a siren, and is propelled by two members of the crew on the push-bar behind. Painted a bright red with bronze trimming it certainly looks like business and furnishes no end of fun making runs to imaginary fires.

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September 16, 2006

Is there a Sea Serpent? (Sep, 1934)

Filed under: General, Nautical — @ 5:50 am
Source: Popular Mechanics ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Sep, 1934
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Is there a Sea Serpent?

RECENT startling events have revived the ocean’s greatest unsolved mystery—Is there a sea serpent? Startling apparitions have evoked an amazed reply of “Yes!”, which downright fakes have turned to a wisecracking “No!” But best scientific opinion refuses to deny flatly, that somewhere, in the deepest depths of the ocean, there may be such a thing, a species unknown to modern science.

This possibility appears amazingly real in the light of the sensational tales of the last nine months that have made the sea serpent come alive again, after years of quiescence. For almost all these tales are told not by one person, but by hundreds. All vow they have seen marine monsters like nothing known, and in several different places. Nearly two hundred canny Scots have seen something that undoubtedly inhabits Loch Ness, inland lake in northern Scotland. In the Pacific ocean, near Vancouver, three score testify to having seen a sea monster. High officers of the liner, “Mauretania,” wrote in the log book recently that they saw one in the Atlantic.

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Rump Strap for Dairy Cow Stops Switching of Tail (Dec, 1950)

Filed under: Other Animals — @ 5:38 am
Source: Popular Mechanics ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Dec, 1950
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Rump Strap for Dairy Cow Stops Switching of Tail
Even though the barn is thoroughly sprayed twice daily to eliminate flies, dairy cows accustomed to switching their tails during the day in order to keep off the pests frequently continue this habit during milking. To prevent it, one dairyman attaches a loop of rope or webbing to the milking-machine strap and places the loop in the position pictured to keep “Bossy’s” switching tail under control.

Rotating Shelter Aids Sun-Bathers (May, 1938)

Filed under: General — @ 5:36 am
Source: Popular Science ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: May, 1938
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Rotating Shelter Aids Sun-Bathers
By turning a “steering” wheel while lying on a cot within the canvas side walls of a new tent, a sun-bather can rotate the “sun tub” to follow the movement of the sun and thus insure maximum exposure to its rays. The 150-pound sun-bathing tent can be folded compactly for easy transportation.

Movies Lure Youngsters to the Dentist (Jun, 1939)

Filed under: Movies — @ 5:34 am
Source: Popular Science ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Jun, 1939
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Movies Lure Youngsters to the Dentist
Instead of staring at the wall and wondering how soon the ordeal will be over, young patients of Dr. Harry Spiro, Chicago, Ill., dentist, can concentrate their attention on moving pictures that flash in front of them, while the dentist works on their teeth. Designed to make the dentist’s office a more popular place with youngsters, the apparatus is housed in a cabinet placed directly in front of the dental chair. Film cartoons and short features are thrown onto the screen by a small electric projector.

September 15, 2006

Many Wall Plugs Fit in One Outlet (May, 1934)

Filed under: Useful — @ 6:13 am
Source: Modern Mechanix ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: May, 1934
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This is actually a really good idea, though I think their claim of unlimited plugs in one outlet is a little optimistic. It would be really nice if powerbricks had outlets in them.

Many Wall Plugs Fit in One Outlet
DOUBLE and triple outlet electric plugs are no longer needed. A novel wall plug now available is of such a design that another plug can be inserted right on top of it. There is no limit to the number of extension cords that can be used on one outlet.

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