November 28, 2007

RADIO SINGER IN CELLOPHANE BELL (Dec, 1933)

Filed under: Music — @ 8:43 am
Source: Popular Science ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Dec, 1933
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RADIO SINGER IN CELLOPHANE BELL
To put the voice of a coloratura soprano on the air with fidelity, broadcasting engineers have devised a cellophane “bell” within which the singer stands. Covering her down to the waistline, the transparent envelop is said to do for the human voice what a mute does for a cornet or violin, and the singer can render her highest notes without fear of causing unpleasant vibrations in the microphone. Read the rest of this entry »

Fire Fighting Sprinklers Cover Radius of 50 to 350 Feet (Jan, 1932)

Filed under: General — @ 8:43 am
Source: Modern Mechanix ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Jan, 1932
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These are pretty wicked looking.

Fire Fighting Sprinklers Cover Radius of 50 to 350 Feet

AN IMPROVEMENT in sprinkler systems for prevention of fires is represented in the invention of a wide-range revolving nozzle for checking fires in large buildings and factories. In the new scheme, a single large sprinkler delivers a whirl of water or fire-extinguishing chemicals over a radius of 50 to 350 feet, depending upon the pressure and the size of the device. Different types and lengths of nozzles may be attached to the revolving center which will increase or decrease the spread of the water. This new fire extinguishing system, the invention of Lucian Mantell, of New York City, proved its effectiveness in a test held recently before fire officials of Philadelphia.

Hostesses Go to School in Plane Cabin (Nov, 1937)

Filed under: Aviation — @ 8:43 am
Source: Popular Science ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Nov, 1937
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Hostesses Go to School in Plane Cabin
Cabins of giant transport planes now serve as classrooms for training air-line hostesses. Taught the mechanical details of the planes as well as their regular duties, the flying hostesses go through an intensive three-week course before they are assigned to regular flights. The photograph above shows a blackboard demonstration of a plane’s heating system.

2,000-Inch TELESCOPE May Reveal End of Universe (Apr, 1934)

Filed under: Space — @ 8:42 am
Source: Modern Mechanix ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Apr, 1934
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2,000-Inch TELESCOPE May Reveal End of Universe

Proposed photo-electric instrument may bring the moon within a mile of the earth, solve the mystery of life on the planets and reveal the gigantic sun that holds the universe together. Here Dr. Luyten tells of discoveries awaiting the great telescope.

by DR. W. J. LUYTEN
Department of Astronomy, University of Minnesota

REPORTS that Dr. Francois Henroteau, astronomer at the Dominion Observatory at Ottawa, is planning a new super-telescope which will far surpass in power all existing instruments, has stirred the imagination of scientists and laymen alike. Even the new 200-inch reflector still under construction for the Mt. Wilson Observatory will be dwarfed by Dr. Henro-teau’s projected giant, which is expected to equal the lightgathering power of a 2,000-inch mirror.
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November 27, 2007

Wind-Propeller Sails Proposed For Liners (Jan, 1935)

Filed under: Nautical — @ 12:06 am
Source: Modern Mechanix ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Jan, 1935
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Wind-Propeller Sails Proposed For Liners

GIANT fan blades whirling rapidly in ocean breezes are proposed by an English inventor as a substitute for both sails and engines on ocean-going vessels. Mounted high above deck, the whirling propeller would transfer the wind’s unlimited power to the marine screw propellers of the boat.

A working model of the windmill ship was on demonstration at the Inventions Exhibition sponsored by the Institute of Patentees at Westminster, England.

Since the propeller could face into the wind regardless of the direction the ship is traveling, it is believed highly probable that windmill boats could travel directly into the wind.

A generator mounted on the windmill tower could develop current for electric motors mounted on the propeller shafts, or a shaft could be used to transmit the power.

Open Theater Has Directed Sound (Jan, 1936)

Filed under: General — @ 12:05 am
Source: Modern Mechanix ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Jan, 1936
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Open Theater Has Directed Sound

WHEN neighbors protested against the noise emanating from a gigantic loud speaker used in a Los Angeles outdoor theater, the manager promptly installed low volume magnetic speakers which cannot be heard beyond the lot. They are hung before each automobile.

The outdoor theater consists of a ten-acre parking lot and a giant screen measuring 40 feet by 50 feet. Spectators view the program from their own automobiles.

“Photo-Graver” Makes Cuts Over Wire in Ten Minutes (Jan, 1932)

Filed under: Communications — @ 12:05 am
Source: Modern Mechanix ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Jan, 1932
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“Photo-Graver” Makes Cuts Over Wire in Ten Minutes

WHAT is certain to be one of the most revolutionary machines introduced in the printing industry was recently exhibited in New York City. Called the “Photo-Graver”, the machine is capable of turning out a half tone engraving in approximately ten minutes, without using either chemical or photographic processes.

The heart of the “Photo-Graver” is a photo electric cell which scans the original photo, picking up the variations of tone, and transforming the light energy into electrical energy. The machine sends photos over wire.

An Electric Tooth Brush Makes Teeth Sparkle (Feb, 1940)

Filed under: Personal Appearance — @ 12:05 am
Source: Science And Mechanics ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Feb, 1940
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An Electric Tooth Brush Makes Teeth Sparkle
EVERYBODY in the family may brush his teeth “the way the dentist does” with a new electric brush which does away with traditional dental cleaning methods. Every member of the family can have his own set of brushes that can be quickly attached to the brush head. A full range of brush hardness is available. The brushes can be separately washed and sterilized. Rubber gum massage suction cups are accessories. Any dentifrice can be used with this electric brush. The motor, which is shock-proofed, does the work, cleansing, brightening, and polishing as the dentist does it. The brush is precision-made, and is sturdily constructed of highgrade materials.

Giant Car-Top Bed (Jun, 1959)

Filed under: Automotive — @ 12:05 am
Source: Mechanix Illustrated ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Jun, 1959
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Well, it looks giant compared to the car. As a bed it looks pretty small.

CAR-TOP rig is called the Mo-Bed. It sleeps two and folds flat for daytime touring. Mo-Bed is British-made.

PLASTICS REVOLUTIONIZE AMERICAN INDUSTRY (Sep, 1936)

Filed under: General — @ 12:04 am
Source: Modern Mechanix ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Sep, 1936
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PLASTICS REVOLUTIONIZE AMERICAN INDUSTRY

Out of Test Tubes Come Man-Made Products Smashing Traditional Fabrication Methods and Making Cheaply Available Shining Articles of Surpassing Utility.

AS THRILLING as any Polar exploration is the day-by-day chemistry in America’s laboratories. Here intrepid men with test tubes and beakers forge into the vast uncharted lands of science. More money is spent in this ceaseless venture than was ever dreamed of by Byrd or Stefansson. The cost is reckoned in millions—even, as with radium, in human life—but the gains are worth the battle. For out of this pioneering comes new wonders to revolutionize industry and add comfort and enjoyment to living.
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November 26, 2007

Toe Preview (Jan, 1947)

Filed under: Useful — @ 2:16 am
Source: Mechanix Illustrated ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Jan, 1947
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Toe Preview will eliminate guesswork when salesmen fit kiddies’ shoes with master sizes made with transparent vamps of Vinylite. Developed by Step Masters, they’re supplied to dealers in full sets of half sizes. Vinylite is Bake-lite’s name for transparent vinyl plastic.

Most Bad Breath Begins with the Teeth! (Dec, 1936)

Filed under: General — @ 2:16 am
Source: American Magazine ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Dec, 1936
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Damn that plaque ceiling! Seriously, a memo about someone’s breath?

Most Bad Breath Begins with the Teeth!

Why let bad breath interfere with success — with happiness? It’s so easy to be safe when you realize that by far the most common cause of bad breath is . . . improperly cleaned teeth!

Authorities say decaying food and acid deposits, in hidden crevices between the teeth, are the source of most unpleasant mouth odors—of dull, dingy teeth — and of much tooth decay.
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