December 20, 2006

Car Exercises Dogs (Sep, 1955)

This seems like a really good way to kill your dogs, not to mention just cruel. I don’t really know how fast dogs can run, but 35 mph seems a bit high, doesn’t it?

Car Exercises Dogs

With six racing dogs to keep in top shape, Dewey Blanton of Columbus, Ohio, has developed a “canine exerciser” that fastens to his station wagon. Blanton built a frame to support a long plank beside the vehicle. Springs fastened to the plank are attached to the dogs’ collars, permitting the dogs to run wide. Longer chains keep the dogs in check. The broad plank bumper prevents injury to the dogs as they race along at 35 miles per hour. Best of all, the dogs seem to love the exerciser.

December 13, 2006

USE SEESAW TO START STOPPED HEART (Apr, 1933)

USE SEESAW TO START STOPPED HEART
A life-saving seesaw has been invented by a University of California scientist to revive those whose hearts have stopped, as the result of certain kinds of accidents. While oxygen is forced into the lungs and heat is applied to the body, the patient will be rocked steadily up and down on the pivoted plank, to which he will be strapped lying on his back. The theory is that the steady change in position will cause gravity to send the blood coursing through the veins and will start the heart beating. The apparatus, the inventor points out, is for use only in certain cases where the patient has met with an unusual accident.

December 10, 2006

They Tell You About Tomorrow (Jan, 1952)

I love the side bar on the second page which predicts that WWIII will occur in late 1952.

They Tell You About Tomorrow

Call astrology a science or just plain hocus-pocus, millions of people not only believe in it but actually live by it.

By Lester David

CAN the stars foretell your future? Can the sun, moon and planets pierce the veil which shrouds the years ahead and tell you if you will become a millionaire, warn you of tragedy swirling your way, predict how long you will live?

Three million people in the U. S. and countless millions the world over fervently believe they can. These are the devotees of astrology. They include industrial tycoons who won’t sign a contract or build a factory unless their horoscopes say they should, top diplomats and rulers eager to know about world policy trends, and Hollywood stars who won’t start a film without a nod from the heavenly bodies.

Recently, the president of one of New York City’s largest banks, accompanied by the head of a far-flung mining company, came to the office of astrologer W. Kenneth Brown in Manhattan for advice. They had an opportunity to join in the purchase of a vast stockpile of metals in England, but if the venture failed it would be a great financial blow to both. Was it a good idea or wasn’t it? What did the stars say?

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December 7, 2006

Locomotive Tries Milk Fuel (Mar, 1938)

Locomotive Tries Milk Fuel

DEMONSTRATING its energy value, two tons of dried milk in the form of briquets was used in place of coal to fuel the locomotive of the Dixie Limited at the start of its run from Chicago Depot to Florida. The substitute fuel is said to have burned readily, providing as much heat as coal.

December 4, 2006

Motorized Toothbrush Leaves Hands Free For Shaving (Oct, 1937)

I don’t know about you but I’m one of those people who can’t pat my head and rub my belly at the same time. The idea of trying to do something else with my face while I have a sharp razor blade in my hand is not very appealing.

Motorized Toothbrush Leaves Hands Free For Shaving

As A novelty feature at a recent exhibit of inventions, one inventor displayed the odd motor-driven toothbrush above. Said to be the last word in time-savers, the device is designed to allow the late riser to get his teeth brushed while he shaves. A conventional brush is attached to a vibrating arm on the brushing apparatus.

Mirror Teaches Batting (May, 1938)

Filed under: Impractical — @ 10:47 am
Source: Modern Mechanix ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: May, 1938
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Mirror Teaches Batting

A huge mirror mounted on a wooden frame constitutes a new method whereby baseball “rookies” are taught proper batting form at the St. Louis Cardinals’ winter training quarters at Orlando, Florida. Standing before the mirror, the player swings his bat and quickly improves his reflected form.

December 3, 2006

The Bat Clock (Apr, 1933)

LIGHT PRINTS TIME ON CLOUDS

Once engaged in the development of a death ray for possible military use, H. Grindell-Matthews, British inventor, has developed a new gun for projecting light rays. A motor carriage supports the cannon-like projector, which is designed to throw signs upon clouds miles away, and is an improved model of one he demonstrated in New York City not long ago. By inserting a special clock with a transparent face and opaque hands and figures in the projector, the correct time is also thrown on clouds.

December 2, 2006

Airport Perches on City-Hall Roof (Jun, 1939)

Airport Perches on City-Hall Roof

Three hundred feet wide and nearly a quarter of a mile long, an airplane landing field which can be revolved to point into the wind perches atop a thirty-one-story building designed as a city hall, in a unique model recently presented for the consideration of Detroit, Mich., municipal officials. Costing about $8,000,000, the proposed structure would be erected on a river-bank site easily reached by land and water transportation.

December 1, 2006

Iron Whale Swims Ocean Bottom Like Fish (Jul, 1933)

Iron Whale Swims Ocean Bottom Like Fish

Denizens in the ocean depths may soon find prowling among their haunts a huge iron monster swimming with fishlike motions and bearing a close resemblance to themselves. This strange monster is to be built from plans devised by Herr Schiff, a German engineer, who has already constructed a workable model for his astounding brainchild, which is shown in accompanying photos. The curious undersea craft is equipped with two fins and a tail which operate in the same manner as do these elements of a live fish. Intended chiefly for the exploration of the ocean bottom, the ship is said to be capable of maneuvering with all the flexibility of its fleshy prototype. Two electric eyes placed in the head for observation purposes make the resemblance to a sea serpent more complete. The craft was designed and constructed after an extensive study of the swimming motions of many types of fish, particularly the larger sharks and whales.

November 30, 2006

Fire Box Traps Pranksters (Feb, 1938)

This is an awesome idea. When someone pulls the fire alarm, we’re going to handcuff them to that very spot. If they were stupid enough to pull a fire alarm some place close to, you know, a fire, well that’s their own fault.

Fire Box Traps Pranksters
THE sending of false fire alarms by mischievous persons may be eliminated through use of a newly developed call box. To use the device, the sender of an alarm must pass a hand through a special compartment to reach the signal dial. Once the dial has been turned, the sender’s hand is locked in the compartment until released by a fireman or policeman with a key.

November 15, 2006

Glasses Eliminate Headlight Glare (Feb, 1938)

Glasses Eliminate Headlight Glare

Complete comfort and safety are promised to the night automobile driver who will wear a new type of eyeshade. Colored material above the eyes blocks out the glare of approaching headlights at a distance and as the bright headlights approach, shields at the driver’s left block out the glare from that direction. It is claimed the eye glasses serve to tone down the brightness at the left side of the road and to leave perfectly clear and visible the right side where the driver is traveling.

November 14, 2006

Giant Coffee Urn In Service (Mar, 1938)

That looks pretty dangerous.

Giant Coffee Urn In Service
THE U. S. Coast Guard base at New London, Connecticut, has been provided with a coffee urn which is believed to be the largest ever constructed. It holds 60 gallons of water and the handle on its cover is just within reach of an average size girl. The big coffee maker is the center of attraction on cold nights for men returning from chilly excursions aboard patrol boats.

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