Jap Clockspring Car Runs 40 mi a Winding

THE Japanese have never gained any notable degree of fame for their mechanical capabilities, but undoubtedly their reputations along this line will get vigorous boost by their invention of an automobile that runs by clockwork.

Very little mechanical data is available on the construction of the new car, but it is said to have British car dealers doing business in Japan somewhat worried. This would indicate that the machine is more than just a freak that originated in the mind of a visionary inventor.

Reports state that the car will run 40 miles at one winding. Further developments may see the invention of an eight-day machine. A Modern Mechanix and Inventions artist has caricatured the contraption above.

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Battlewagons for Today’s Fire Fighters

1. New American-LaFrance-Foamite aerial truck illustrates compact power of postwar fire engines (See “Here Come the New Fire Engines,” p. 66). Unlike old-style articulated trucks, it is a single unit and needs no rear-wheel tillerman. Steel extension ladder is 100 feet long—15 feet more than prewar type—and holds eight men when it is supported at the top.

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This doesn’t seem like such a good idea.

PEDAL LETS YOU STEER CAR BY FOOT

A device recently placed on the market by a Los Angeles, Calif., manufacturing firm enables auto drivers to steer by foot pressure for short distances. Pressing a foot pedal causes an arm to spring up and engage a spoke of the steering wheel. Then the car can be guided by a side-to-side movement of the pedal.

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New Auto Salesroom Built in Tiers Displays 300 Cars
THE latest innovation in the automobile-selling business comes from Paris, where a distinctly unique salesroom has been built that enables the salesman to display from one point all the automobiles that he has for sale. The entire salesroom is built in five tiers, as shown in the photo at the right, in the. form of balconies, on which about 300 cars can be exhibited. The tiers are built of reinforced concrete with metal skeletons, and the entire showroom is decorated in cream with black pillars supporting the balconies. The whole structure gives an impression of lightness and immense height.

Electricity May Supplant Nets in Taking Fish

Catching fish by shocking them with electricity is an experiment being tried by the Australian State Fishery Station, at Sydney Bay. A fishing boat has been fitted with charged electrical grids or electrodes of copper that are submerged in the water. Powerful electric generators force a current through the water between the electrodes, shocking all near-by fish, which then float to the surface and are picked up alive in large nets.

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MOTORISTS WARNED TO LOOK OUT FOR PLANES
Planes swooping in for a landing at the Grand Central Airport in Glendale, California, must cross a motor road at such low altitude as to menace cars. In order to prevent collisions between planes and cars, authorities at the field have erected a highway sign at this point, warning motorists of the danger. The sign resembles those used to warn motorists of their approach to railway grade crossings. This is believed to be the only point in the United States where aerial and highway traffic conflict.

Balloon-Rocket to Soar 43 Miles
A balloon-rocket conceived by a Wyoming inventor is expected to roar 43 miles into the stratosphere. Carried 11 miles by the balloon, the operator cuts loose, ignites two opposed rockets and soars 33 miles higher. One mile is lost cutting away from the balloon. When the rocket power is expended, an air vent is opened, filling a parachute which floats the tube to earth. Inserts show release of rocket and details of the operating mechanism of the cylinder.

Meet the new FORD “Country Squire” Station Wagon

The “Double Duty” Dandy of them all!

Carries 8 big people in comfort… handles half a ton of freight with ease, thanks to “Stowaway” center seat and “Flat-Deck,” one level cargo space.

Just Look…

1. It’s got more flat carrying area than any other station wagon in its class. Simply remove rear seat—no tools required.

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Galaxy of Huge Bridges for San Francisco - Oakland

CALIFORNIA’S native sons boast of many tilings, such as invigorating climate, variegated scenery, soil fertility, and now they are to have another item added to their list—a bridge with the world’s largest suspension span.

This will be the Golden Gate suspension bridge, now under construction, anil but part of a galaxy of huge bridges which will facilitate the movement of vehicular traffic in the western seaports.

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Bike Keeps Family in Stitches

CARRYING four persons and a sewing machine, the world’s weirdest bicycle recently had a tryout in Chicago, Ill. The two-story vehicle, known as the “Goofybike,” is the creation of Charles Steinlauf. It carries the whole Steinlauf family. The inventor rides at the top and guides the contraption by means of a huge automobile steering wheel. Mrs. Steinlauf sits below, operating a sewing machine, while her son pedals behind and her daughter rides on the handlebars in front. When the odd vehicle is at rest, the projecting legs of the sewing machine prevent the lofty cycle from tipping over.

Novel Rowing Car Provides Good Sport

What this country needs is an exercising’ machine that will provide good sport as well as build up muscles and tear down excess avoirdupois. At least that is the belief of the New York manufacturer of the novel whirligig car shown above.

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New Cars for Old!

YEARS ago, a joke was very popular, concerning a very popular car. In brief, it ran that the would-be owner of a Model Zee had torn down an old shed and, reading that the manufacturer of his car was a large purchaser of scrap iron, shipped him a large crate of corrugated roofing, to apply on the price of a new shivver. A few days passed, and he received a letter from the service department of the factory: “Dear Sir. We are unable to tell what kind of accident your car met with, but we will repair it, as good as new, for $49.98.”

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