TOMORROW-LAND

High spot of the New York World’s Fair reopening this Spring — GM Futurama!

You can look over GM’s exciting “idea” cars — Firebird IV with television, stereo, game table, refrigerator; GM-X with jet aircraft cockpit and controls—fascinating design and engineering innovations right out of
tomorrow.

Read the rest of this entry »

Cards Now Played like Midget Golf

THE latest addition to the ever increasing list of games devised for the amusement of incurable golf fans is a combination of midget golf and bridge, played on a carpet spread out at the bathing beach for games between plunges.

The unique carpet on which the game is played has painted on it a circle containing card symbols on which various card numbers are inscribed. In the center is a cup, and the objective of the player is to score by driving the ball into it. If he misses, the ball rolls onto a section representing another card.

The carpet can easily be rolled out on the beach for a rubber at any time.

view additional pages

Africa is 60 Miles from Hollywood (in the movies)

by JAMES BOWLES

If you think the title of this article is rather far-fetched, you’re doing an injustice to Hollywood’s cleverest location managers, whose special brand of geography, not taught in the public schools, crowds Alaska, Ireland, Honolulu and Holland within the bounds of the state of California. FRANCE is 20 miles from the South Seas, the Sahara Desert adjoins Holtville, California, and the dykes of Holland leak into Long Beach.

Read the rest of this entry »

view additional pages

DOLLS Become ACTORS

DOLLS may replace drawings as actors in animated cartoon movies if the idea developed by three Italian brothers proves successful. The present way of making such films, the best example of which is Walt Disney’s Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, is to shoot thousands of drawings separately and then piece them together so that the subjects appear to move when projected.

Read the rest of this entry »

Toy Automobiles With Real Motors Displayed in England for First Time

IN THESE modern times when motor cars are playing such a prominent part in family life, the children have such an advanced knowledge of the auto that they demand that their toys he correct in every detail. These miniature cars, which were recently displayed at a British automobile show, are equipped with motorcycle engines, pneumatic tires, electric lights, starters, and all other modern accessories. The little fabric coupe pictured here is the first of its kind.

view additional pages

TELEVISION Advances ON MANY FRONTS

THOUGH the outdoor Olympic Games experiment was a “flop” and patent litigation has slowed development, television continues to advance on many fronts.

The Don Lee Broadcasting System has started daily experimental broadcasting from station W6XAO in Los Angeles under direction of Harry R. Lubcke. He offers plans for a home receiver to experimenters who send a stamped envelope. The W6XAO schedule is from 3 to 5 and 6:30 to 8:30 p. m., P. S. T.

Read the rest of this entry »

view additional pages

the music goes ’round and ’round

People who like phonograph music are getting dizzy trying to keep up with three different systems of playing three sizes of disks.

By Robert Hertzberg

BUYING phonograph records used to be a simple and painless operation. You could walk into any music shop and say, “I want a few of the latest dance tunes for a party.” You’d depart in a few minutes with a neat bundle under your arm. But not any more!

“Phonograph records? Yes, sir,” the clerk now says. “Would you like 10- or 12-inch records for a 78-r.p.m. turntable, or 7-, 10-, or 12-inch records for a 33-1/3 r.p.m. machine, or 7-inch records for a 45-r.p.m. player? The prices range from 60 cents to $4.85.”

Read the rest of this entry »

The World’s Largest Saxophone
THERE is plenty of music in this horn. Standing six feet, seven inches in height, this saxophone is believed to be the largest in the world. In spite of its height it may be played from a sitting position—provided the musician is sufficiently expert.

New Game Uses Wooden Foils

A NEW fencing game uses foils made of wood with suction cups on the ends. Shields made of cardboard are worn with various sections of the body marked off. Face protecting masks made of cardboard and wire mesh also are included. Shown demonstrating the outfit are Rita Hart (left) of Brooklyn, N. Y., and Ethel E. Battner, of Jamaica, L. I., N. Y.

view additional pages

HOW TO MAKE A PHONOGRAPH

By WALTER LEE

IN case any person of a mechanical turn of mind wishes to try his hand at building a talking machine, I will explain what I used and how I used it. But before I do so, it may be well to explain, in a general way, the principle of phonography, so that the experimenter will know just what he is doing and why he is doing it that way.

Read the rest of this entry »

TV’s Magic Lantern

TV’s latest miracle is the Scenescope, designed by Frank Caldwell, scene maker in Hollywood for 17 years.

The problem of costly sets is a perennial one in the movie capital and Caldwell had been trying to solve it. When TV came along he saw that the problem was even more acute in this field—and maybe a bit easier to solve. His magic lantern, shown here, the only model in existence, has cost $100,000 so far. It has three 4×5 slide holders, a 35mm slide projector, a 16mm movie projector and a live lens. The movies are projected before or behind live action. The slides project backgrounds and still material to be combined with live action.

WILLY the walking bug

WILLY can be taken off the wooden track and played with but his finest moment is on the track, being pulled by the string. His legs take on a most lifelike movement which is imparted by the waves cut in the “wiggle spine.”

Read the rest of this entry »