Scale in Soda-Fountain Seat Warns Overweight Patrons (Dec, 1938)
Filed under: Just Weird — @ 8:40 pm
Source: Popular Science ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Dec, 1938
| Buy on Ebay
Source: Popular Science ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Dec, 1938
| Buy on Ebay
Scale in Soda-Fountain Seat Warns Overweight Patrons
Soda-fountain patrons may watch their weight as they enjoy their drinks and sundaes, with the invention of a counter seat that also serves as a scale. Through levers beneath the pedestal of the seat, the customer’s weight actuates an indicator built into the counter. By consulting the dial, customers can decide whether to order fattening foods.
I’m sure a lot of women chose THAT seat.
A smart business owner would have it register ten pounds too little.
Comment by Blurgle — April 8, 2008 @ 11:25 pm
By the way that woman is sitting, it appears that one can have a free Pap Test at the same time.
Comment by Jilly — April 9, 2008 @ 5:50 am
So much for keeping your weight secret from the curious eyes of that waiter. Even those stacked bags won’t help you.
Comment by KoXa — April 9, 2008 @ 6:30 am
Between the cost of basically rebuilding the diner to install these and the cost of maintaining a dozen or so of these machines (How do you access it for reapirs and adjustment? Without closing the whole lunch counter?), all for a machine that would DECREASE your sales….no wonder it didn’t catch on!
Comment by nlpnt — April 9, 2008 @ 7:02 am
I love the knowing glances that the customer and soda jerk are exchanging. No wonder they call ‘em soda jerks.
Comment by dculberson — April 9, 2008 @ 5:59 pm
Great marketing!
Hey, since you’re already 20 pounds overweight, you might as well order an ice cream sundae.
Comment by Thundercat — April 9, 2008 @ 8:00 pm
unnecessary device for our time…everybody who consumes these things is already obese.
Comment by Sonatta — April 10, 2008 @ 6:00 pm
Can you imagine McDonald’s installing these?
Comment by Mark — April 12, 2008 @ 9:14 am