Inventions for Convenience of Theatergoers (Jun, 1931)
Inventions for Convenience of Theatergoers
SCIENCE, with its ability to provide helpful inventions for every occasion, has now come to the assistance of theatergoers and furnished them with two new pieces of equipment for increased enjoyment of programs. For the deaf, inventors have devised a system of voice transmission consisting of a battery of “mikes” at the foot lights to pick up the voice of the players, and a series of plug-in connections at seats provided with headphones to convey the voice directly to the ears of the deaf persons. This unique system has been installed at the Goodman theater, in Chicago.
The invention which theater patrons will welcome most heartily, however, is the new adjustable push-back seat which eliminates the nuisance of having to stand every time someone passes along the row. To prevent disorder, to say nothing of much suppressed swearing, the seated person simply moves back by pressing his body against the in accompanying photos. The bottom of the seat is fitted in grooved runners and held in normal position by a spring. Any old seat can be quickly converted by the installation of this simple mechanism.
Related posts:
- “Talkies” Heard Through Bones In First Theater for Deaf (Jul, 1935)
- Berlin to New York in less than One Hour! (Nov, 1931) (Nov, 1931) (Nov, 1931)
- Novel “Driver-Seat Shop” for Motorists’ Convenience (Jul, 1931)
- TV SHOWROOM FOR INVENTIONS (Aug, 1950)
- Edison Raps Crude Inventions (Dec, 1931)
They had those seats in the one-screen theater in the town where I went to college (The Guthrie Grove City, PA). It’s a good idea, but I think the amount of movement was designed for the girth of a person in 1931. Doesn’t work so well now…..
“Deaf persons are enabled to hear..”? When you’re deaf you’re deaf. Shouldn’t the correct term be “hearing impaired”? I think I’ll build a time machine and have a little chat with the editor
Jonas F: No, it’s most def’ deaf (couldn’t let that one pass by)
Princeton University WordNet: lacking or deprived of the sense of hearing wholly or in part
A _gentleman_ would have stood to let the woman pass.
That’s what I was taught by my mother 50 years ago and I think about her every time I do it. (I also think of her when someone fails to do the same)
“Science, with its ability to provide helpful inventions for every occasion…” This is just a great line.
What, no cup holders?
And what’s with this “swearing” in theaters? Why, people were perfect ladies and gentlemen back in the day. Times were different then! Better!
The prevention of supressed swearing? Boy, for the days when THINKING about swearing was a problem for science to solve!