Author: Charlie

New Toothbrush Has Rubber Disks
SANITARY rubber disks are now used in a new toothbrush which is very easy to keep clean. The disks are thin enough to enter easily between the teeth.

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Sets Trans-Atlantic Record

Europa’s Maiden Crossing WHEN the giant North German Lloyd liner S.S. Europa steamed past Ambrose Light in New York Harbor a new record for speedy trans-Atlantic crossings was established. The Europa cut 18 minutes from the mark of 4 days, 17 hours and 24 minutes set by her sister ship, the Bremen, last October.

The Europa, like the Bremen, has the bulbous bow, a device which creates “dead water” at the propellers, giving to them a push which they could not get if the water were rushing by. Her exterior appearance, except for minor details, is identical with that of her sister ship. Her engines are high pressure steam turbines, the latest development in construction of high-speed vessels.

The overall length is 936 feet and breadth 101 feet. She will carry 2,200 passengers, as well as a crew of 975 men.

An unusual feature is her name in electric lights on starboard and port sides amidships. The letters are 6 feet high, illuminated by 1,200 bulbs which flash alternately. Flags also can be illuminated.

There are seven compartments for boiler and engine plants. The auxiliary machinery as well as generators and dynamos are located aft the main engine room. The main plant consists of two sets of turbines forward and two aft, each set, consisting of high, intermediate and low pressure turbines, being connected with one of the screws through single reduction gears which reduce the turbine speed of 2,100 r.p.m, to 210 r.p.m, of the propellers. The turbines are completely insulated against loss of teeth.

Steam is generated in oil fired water-tube boilers and electric power is generated by four large Diesel-driven dynamos supplying current to some 800 motors of various kinds. For emergency the plants are supplemented by 2 Diesel-driven dynamos.

Home Scientists Banish Wash Day Blues

THIS WASHBOARD represents a whole laundry in itself. It is designed for small apartments, camping trailers and other locations where economy of space is desirable. The washboard contains soap rack, wringer and a self-supporting back rest. It can be used in a tub or in a small basin.

THIS TIME SWITCH modernizes old washing machines by making them automatic. Listed on the dial is the water temperature and washing time necessary for fabrics.

CAN-OPENER FOR LIQUIDS such as juices and oils acts as a spigot. When the tubes are pushed into a can, rubber washers seal the holes. Then, as air enters one tube the liquid is poured out the other. Sealing washers make tubes air tight.

AIR CONDITIONED REFRIGERATOR keeps bread and cakes fresh for weeks at a temperature of 40 to 50 degrees. No frost forms in the compartment, and food such as bananas, cauliflower, and celery can be left uncovered.

HERE IS A BATTERY CHARGING WASHING MACHINE. In rural homes where electricity is not available, this new washing machine charges the radio battery while doing the weekly laundry. The generator is mounted on the motor platform and uses a belt drive. It does not affect the motor power.

“Enter the Radio Business? …YOU’RE FOOLISH!” they Shouted

—yet in a few months I was earning more than any of them You should have seen their faces when I told them that in just a few short months I jumped from $35 to $75 a week.

“No more scrimping and saving pennies for me!” I said. “I’ve got a new car, and before long I’ll have a home of my own. No more slaving for a boss, either. I’m my own boss since I went into Radio—and the work’s like play.”

Just a short time ago they had laughed at my decision to enter the Radio business. “You’re foolish! You’ll lose your shirt,” they roared. “You’re no mechanic, you don’t even know the difference between a grid and a primary coil.”

And now it was my turn to laugh. They were astounded that I made such a success in so short a time. They fired questions at me from all sides. How did I do it? Where did I learn? What school did I go to?

“I didn’t go to any school at all,” I told them. “I learned right in my own home—in my spare time—the quick, easy National Radio Institute way. It was actually fun learning. Everything was right before me—working outfits of parts, and instructions with pictures that showed me exactly how to do everything. I could hardly help learning. And best of all, almost from the very first lesson I was able to earn money in my spare-time fixing sets in my neighborhood. Before I had been studying three months I more than paid for the price of the course. I’ll say that Radio is the biggest paying business I ever found!” This story is typical of hundreds of National Radio Institute students all over the country. Young men with ambition and foresight everywhere are getting into Radio now. Win. Spartivent, 93 Broadway, Newark, N. J., lost his job, turned to Radio, and has averaged $3,000 a year. B. Morissette, 733 Somerville St., Manchester, N. H., writes that he still has his regular job but averaged $80 a month in Radio work in spare time.

The amazing growth of Radio has opened hundreds of new jobs for trained men. Radio manufacturers employ testers, engineers, service men, and buyers for jobs paying up to $6,000 a year. Broadcasting Stations use engineers, operators, station managers and pay up to $5,000 a year. Hundreds of operators enjoy world-wide travel and adventure in the employ of shipping companies with all expenses paid and a good salary besides. Talking Movies pay as much as $75 to $200 a week to men with Radio training. Radio dealers employ trained men to buy, sell, install, and service sets, and pay well for good men.

Opportunities for ambitious men in Radio are almost unlimited. An amazing 64-page book called “Rich Rewards in Radio” tells all about the many opportunities you can find in Radio—and this book will be sent to you absolutely free! It will also tell you about the famous National Radio Institute plan that has helped others to earn $50, $60, $75 a week and more; also all about the remarkable lifetime employment service.

The National Radio Institute course is thorough. You learn by actual practice with working outfits, not just by theory alone. First, you are told how to do it, then you see how by photographs, and then you do it yourself. Even the most modern and complicated sets hold no secrets from you. Yet this amazing course is simple, easy to master.

No need to give up your present job. Keep it until you prove to yourself that Radio will raise your pay. For the National Radio Institute course is guaranteed—if when you complete it you aren’t fully satisfied with the lessons and instruction service, every cent you paid will be instantly returned.

Send the coupon below at once for the book, “Rich Rewards in Radio.” It will be sent to you absolutely free! Learn how many have more than doubled their pay—see for yourself the wonderful opportunities for you in Radio. No obligation. Mail the coupon right now.

National Radio Institute, Dept. 3EH, Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen: Send me your book. I want to see what Radio offers. I understand this request does not obligate me.

Insulated Water Heater Cuts Costs

A NEW and highly efficient type of household hot water heater has recently been perfected which bids fair to revolutionize domestic water heating. The water tank of the heater, shown in the photo at the right, is placed within a sheet iron shell and the space between this shell and the copper tank is filled with many layers of cellular asbestos. Spaces at top and bottom are packed with mineral wool. This insulation so thoroughly seals in the heat that a tankful of water may be kept hot for a period of several days.

In a test a tankful of water was heated to a temperature of 150 degrees, and 48 hours later the temperature was 112 degrees.

More amazing than the rocket car is how it makes stippled clouds.

Rocket Driven Ice Sled Speeds Over Lake at 75 M. P. H.

PROPELLED by the fiery explosions of eighteen rockets, a new torpedo shaped ice boat, designed and built by Harry W. Bull, 21-year-old Syracuse University student, proved itself in a recent test an extremely speedy vehicle, capable of acceleration at a rate of 110 feet per second, or about 75 miles per hour—four times faster than that of the average auto.

Bull’s novel craft, streamlined to reduce wind resistance to a minimum, is steered by means of an airplane rudder, which is controlled from a rudder bar by the driver in the cockpit. The eighteen rockets, made of strong cardboard tubes packed with ordinary powder, are attached to the sides of the fuselage and are set off by a spark from wires running to the control board in the cockpit.

The framework of the fuselage is of band iron trussed with wire, over which is stretched airplane wing fabric. Two steel runners ten feet apart support the front of the craft, while a third is placed at the rear. In the recent test, the sled lit out in a blinding flash of smoke to attain a 50 foot run.

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Telran = Television + Radar

TWO marvels of the electron tube, radar and television, have now been joined to give eyes to the air pilot at times when he would otherwise be flying blind through fog, clouds or darkness. This new device, announced by Radio Corporation of America and called tele-ran, promises to banish the greatest remaining hazard to scheduled flying.

Radar on the ground is used to get a picture of everything the pilot wants to see in his vicinity, and this picture is sent to the pilot by television. On the screen in front of him the pilot sees a map of the terrain below with the airport runways and all stationary obstacles. Moving over this map is a dot of light for each plane flying in the vicinity, including his own. He knows his plane by a special line of light that identifies it.

Since a picture tells more than thousands of words, the information thus put before the pilot from the airport control station affords him the greatest measure of safety and sureness. He virtually sees all the planes with which he might collide; knows their relative positions and the direction of their flight. He “sees” the airport with its runways clearly outlined. If there are tall buildings or hills, the radar spots them and shows them to him on his screen.

The plane itself does not have to carry around heavy and cumbersome radar equipment; that is all in the airport. The plane carries only a relatively light receiving apparatus. One radar outfit on the ground suffices to give pictorial information to all planes in the vicinity.

In announcing its development of this new aid to air navigation, RCA stated that this is its most important postwar enterprise, the research program to which its experts are giving most of their efforts. A demonstration was staged at Indianapolis, the first public revelation of the new system.

RCA considers that teleran is ideally suited to accurate and safe control of traffic into and out of busy airports. Since neither radar nor television can be balked by bad visibility, planes can be moved with regularity when ceilings are low, avoiding the delays of “stacking up” under the control methods now in use.

The radar-television equipment has a range of 30 to 50 miles, which is considered quite enough for airport control. This furnishes the control center and all pilots within range complete data for continuous operations.

The pictures that a pilot sees on his instrument board when teleran is used look more like drawings than photo- graphs, but they are actually photographed by the television camera at the airport. A composite picture is placed before the camera, consisting of data brought in by radar, weather reports, barometer readings, figures showing the distance from the airport, and so on. Individual messages can be sent, too, for the benefit of any airman in the area. The control officer can do this by pointing to the individual pilot’s spot on the picture and inserting instructions or information for him. The television camera photographs the finger against the background of other data.

Voice channels can still be used, but it is anticipated that such communication will be held to a minimum, being usually unnecessary.

Still further simplifying the pilot’s task, the teleran apparatus has a method of separating the radar echoes from planes according to altitude layers. This avoids the confusion of showing too much at one time. The pilot can push a button to get a picture of any one of nine altitude layers, with all planes flying in the vicinity for each layer.

By pushing another button, the pilot picks up a weather map whenever he wishes. This is kept up to the minute at the airport control station. The map gives him the weather information he needs much more quickly than if it were sent by voice.

If it is necessary to send a plane to another airport for any reason, the pilot not only gets instruction through the television picture, but his route is telran on the map for him at the same time. All he does is put his individual light spot on the indicated line and hold it there.

Radar scopes at the airport continually pick up echoes from planes at all altitudes for a distance of 30 to 50 miles. As these are automatically separated according to altitude, there is a separate radar tube for each layer, and a television camera focused on each tube. The map of the area, together with other symbols and information, is drawn on a clear plastic sheet and placed between the radar screen and the camera. This composite picture is what goes over the air waves to the pilot’s cockpit. Relative locations of all planes on the map are thus shown to him at all times.

Each plane using teleran carries a “transponder,” which consists of a receiver and transmitter connected together so that the transmitter emits one or more pulses when the receiver picks up a pulse from the ground radar. In this way the radar signal passes back and forth from ground to plane constantly.

—Gold V. Sanders

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SEAGOING SAUCERS

By Frank Tinsley

THIS radical new ship is now under development by the British government. According to the London Daily Mail the Saunders-Roe Aircraft Co. is now hard at work on preliminary research.

The idea is essentially the same as that proposed for Ford’s futuristic “Wheel-less Car.” (See Oct. ‘58 MI) The MI design calls for an elongated saucer form with a horseshoe-shaped cavity underneath. Compressed air is expelled from nozzles in the top of this cavity, which contains the pressure and directs it against the sea’s surface, lifting the saucer a few feet above the water. Airplane-type propellers, driven by gas turbines, propel the skimmer at high speed. In docking or lying at anchor, the pressure is gradually reduced and the ship lowers to the water. A water propeller and rudder are provided for surface maneuvering.

The British expect saucers to carry up to 1,000 passengers, hit over 100 mph. Development will probably take about ten years.

MAKING PLASTIC RINGS

MAKING plastic rings is an interesting, inexpensive hobby requiring little skill and the use of only a few household tools. Ideal for making these striking rings is Catalin, a trade-marked resin commonly used in the manufacture of trinkets and other novelties. Catalin comes in a multitude of colors, sizes and shapes and may be procured from any hobby store.

In making a ring first obtain a piece of material (tubing) having the desired cross-section shape, and saw off a length slightly larger than the maximum width of the ring face. Clamp the rough ring form securely in a vise and scratch your particular design on the face surface. An initial, diamond or heart makes a very pleasing design and can be easily reproduced. For a two-tone ring the face may be left flat and a cameo or similarly shaped piece of contrasting colored plastic cemented to the surface.

When shaping both the face and band use an ordinary machinist file, taking care not to cut off too much with each stroke. Once the ring is roughly shaped it should be polished with an ordinary polishing stick and polishing substance.

—Leo Choplin,

Device Keeps Canned Milk Fresh
ANEW can-opener has been perfected for use with evaporated milk, maple syrup, or other liquids which are poured from the can. The device consists of a steel strip to clamp on the can. Back of these clamps are two sets of arms tipped with puncturing levers. When pressure is applied the points break through the head of the can, while pressure on the inside of the lever raises the points and permits pouring the liquid. Released, they seal the hole tightly again.

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PRETTY GIRLS ARE BIG HIT AT NEW YORK WORLD’S FAIR

The New York World’s Fair ended its second week feeling pretty well satisfied with itself. Attendance of almost 2,500,-000, including 500,000 free admissions, was up to expectations. The head of the San Francisco Fair came and was impressed. A discordant note, however, came from Chicago where the Daily News suggested that Grover Whalen be turned into a national park when the Fair was over.

Undoubted hit of the Fair were the girls who guided visitors around the Fair for small fees. Pretty (see front cover), pleasant and encyclopedic, the girl guides are much in demand. Ever polite and informative, they have had to fend off some strange questions. Some samples: “Where is the periscope?” “When does the helicline take off?” “When do they feed the lagoons?”

Girl and boy guides line UP every morning in full uniform for a 10-min. drill. There are 20 girls and (60 hoys. First on the left is Barbara Wall, the girl on the cover.

Non-guided visitors always interrupt Barbara Wall’s tours to ask questions. Even though these answers are given gratis, guides must answer politely and completely.

Customers are mostly elderly ladies and schoolteachers, a good many tell Barbara that they have been to the San Francisco Fair. New York’s impresses them more.

Demonstrations are given on private tours. Above: The new small-sized Crosley car is tested. Below: day’s end. Barbara walks about 15 miles during a working day.

HOW JIMMY BECAME THE MOST POPULAR BOY IN TOWN

Jimmy’s brother Dan, who was in his sophomore year in college, had always been popular. Even as a youngster he was the leader of his crowd, invited to all kinds of parties. So when he came home on his vacation and found Jimmy always being passed up when party invitations were given out, he tried to find out why. Then he told Jimmy what thousands of boys and girls have found out—that a good harmonica player is always in demand for all kinds of parties and outings. And when players form Harmonica Hands, they are simply swamped with invitations to play everywhere, over the radio, at public receptions and big school events.

New Instruction Book Makes Learning to Play Harmonica Easier Than Ever The new Hohner Instruction Book “Harmonica Playing Made Easy” is the simplest and easiest Instruction Book ever prepared for the Harmonica. It takes you step by step right from the correct way to blow each single note, right up to where you play complete selections. A number of old time popular songs arranged for Harmonica, are included complete in the book. Also tells hew to organize a Harmonica Band. Just send in the coupon below for a Free Copy.

All Fine Players Use HOHNER HARMONICAS Practically all the expert players you hear over the radio or on the stage use only Hohner Harmonicas because they are true in pitch, accurate in tone and sturdy in construction, Larry Adler, the sensational stage soloist, Charles Newman, the radio star, Carl Freed, leader of the well known Harmonica Harlequins, Albert N. Hoxie, Director of the famous Philadelphia Harmonica Band, are only a few of the well known artists who use Hohner Harmonicas exclusively. So be sure to ask your dealer for a Hohner—”the world’s best”, and look for the Hohner name on the box and on the instrument.

M. HOHNER, Inc. 351 Fourth Avenue New York

This seems very similar to a xerox machine.

Electric CAMERA Works Without Film

SELENIUM, that wonderful metal that changes its electrical resistance upon exposure to light, has recently been used in a most revolutionary camera developed by Mr. K. Wilcke, German scientist. In the ordinary sense of the term, this experimenter uses no film, and entirely dispenses with the use of silver compounds.

In a special camera, shown above, the light enters through a standard lens and strikes a glass plate, on which is a very fine film of metal-like platinum or gold; so fine that it will permit the passage of light. Backed up to this metal film is a layer of selenium, behind which is placed a piece of paper soaked in a special electrolyte. The last member of the group is another metal plate, which serves as second electrode.

Due to the process of electrolysis, the image impressed upon the selenium will be reproduced upon the paper, the most metal being deposited in the dark portions of the picture.

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ARE YOU A BORE?

by HELEN M. PETERSON and JEAN SULLIVAN

Have you ever felt that people find you less than fascinating? Do you sometimes feel that they are giving you only half an ear when you are talking to them? Do their eyes glaze or shift past you while you are still in the middle of a sentence? If so, you may have habits that label you a conversational bore and will banish you to the “uninvited” list for life.

According to Webster’s Dictionary, a bore is, “A tiresome person, or thing.” The unvarnished truth is that a bore is one whose voice is seldom silent and whose words are dull. It might be well for you to remember that more friendly relationships founder because of too much talk rather than too little.

A man can grow a beard—or shave one off; a woman can add pounds—or slim down like a greyhound; but nothing can conceal the naked truth if you are a bore. Nothing that is, except a good, close look at your conversational patter, plus a sincere desire to improve it.

Imagine yourself in the following situations to see how you rate on being

1. You are making your first appearance with an important group in a new town. You want to make a good impression, so you: a. Talk loudly while dropping names.

b. Smile and say nothing.

c. Launch into a lengthy description of your prize-winning roses.

d. Offer to help the hostess if it seems needed.

2. A person is introduced to you and says the customary, “How do you do?” You say: a. “I have a splitting headache. And that’s not all—”

b. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

c. “Howdy to you, too.”

d. “Likewise, I’m sure.”

3. You are at a party where someone suggests a sing-along. Do you?

a. Say you know every song ever written and have done operatic work and prove it?

b. Offer to accompany them on your guitar if they’d like you to?

c. Join in loudly and off-key?

d. Helpfully add a phrase whenever the others get stuck?

4. Suppose the Club’s best golfer has just won another trophy. At a party in his honor do you: a. Give him a sincere build-up by saying, “we’re so proud of you?”

b. Tell him about the time you won a peanut rolling contest when you were fifteen—in great detail?

c. Ask him if winning trophies helps his business aspirations in any way? d. Offer to Indian wrestle anybody present?

5. At lunch with new friends, do you: a. Find out their likes and dislikes?

b. Talk about your gay and active social life?

c. Complain loud and long about your inlaws?

d. Hold their interest by telling them all of your hobbies?

6. When the subject of finances is being discussed, you impress the group by: a. Saying, “My income isn’t really adequate. But whose is?”

b. Telling them what a financial wizard you are.

c. Ask for suggestions on building a savings account.

d. Brag about how much you’ve managed to save by bumming coffee and cigarettes.

7. A close friend is having trouble with her husband. She asks your advice. Do you: a. Tell her she’s crazy even to stay with him?

b. Give her a lengthy example from your own love life so she can see what she’s doing wrong?

c. Tell her it will blow over and that you have to run along?

d. Listen quietly, then suggest she come over later for coffee and a long talk?

8. An acquaintance has been awarded a prize for outstanding community work. You: a. Congratulate him and tell him you always knew he’d make a name for himself.

b. Say, “So what else can you do?”

c. Say, “I sort of thought old Jim would get it this time.”

d. Tell him you’re interested—would he like some help on projects?

9. You are on a diet. At a dinner party you: a. Look martyred and pick at your food.

b. Give the lowdown on every diet you’ve been on from the time you were weaned right through the grapefruit-boiled egg kick? Even if they show signs of butting in, follow through.

c. Say nothing and enjoy your salad and vegetables.

d. Say, “I’ve never believed in serving such rich food.”

10. A new family has moved into your neighborhood. Do you: a. Ask them over for coffee?

b. Clue them in on everyone’s bad points?

c. Run in every hour on the hour so they’ll feel welcome?

d. Ignore them completely?

11. You are the first in your group to see a much advertised movie. So you: a. Corner everyone so you can tell all the plot.

b. Rave about it until no one would see it if it were free.

c. Say, “It is good. But you should see it to appreciate it.”

d. Quote endlessly from all the reviews, analyzing each one.

12. You have been asked to watch a neighbor’s toddler. When she comes to pick up the child you: a. Tell her, “Your child is an angel. Ask me again.”

b. Take off on a tirade because Junior locked you in the bathroom while he tore your mail to bits.

c. Ask if her child has been “tested.” Tell her you know of a psychiatrist who did wonders for the Smiths’ child.

d. Keep her at the door while you reveal the cute things the child told you about “Mommy and Daddy.”

13. You’re the best bridge player in your crowd. Do you: a. Pointedly insist on the next best player for your partner?

b. Only help when someone asks your advice?

c. Volunteer to help everyone improve whether they are interested or not?

d. Ask if anyone has heard about the new class for bridge players at the Y.W.C.A.?

14. You are invited to dinner at the boss’s house. Do you: a. Call to ask if you may bring your three children along?

b. Feel it your sacred duty to fill any silences with a lot of chatter?

c. Enjoy the food while contributing some flavor of your own?

d. Gulp a tranquilizer at the beginning of the meal?

15. A famous man is a former schoolmate. Do you: a. Bring his name into every conversation?

b. Say, when asked, “He was always remarkable.”

c. Tell some of the stupid stunts he pulled as a kid?

d. Assume his success as though you’d pushed him into it?

16. You’ve been asked by a friend to help select a dress. You: a. Study all labels for big names only.

b. Keep telling her that of course a figure like hers is hard to fit.

c. Help her choose the three best to take home on “approval.”

d. Hint that the clerks must be holding back the better ones.

17. The subject of “to dye” or “not to dye” is the topic of the day. You add a little color by: a. Asking a friend who did, if she’s sorry.

b. Reminding them that only one person will know for sure.

c. Saying, “To each his own!”

d. Insisting that a tint job will lead to all kinds of trouble—from baldness to promiscuity.

18. Your best-liked enemy appears at a tea in the feather hat you’ve been longing for. Do you say: a. “Nobody told me about the sale at ‘The Bon’.”

b. “How much did that set your hubby back?”

c. “That is a beautiful hat.” And smile if it kills you.

d. “Think of all those poor, naked birds!” Elaborate.

19. You have just returned from a vacation where you were housed with strangers. Do you: a. Send a pleasant note and small gift?

b. Write to ask if they’ve found your toothbrush and will they send it back?

c. Use the peculiarities of the strangers to entertain members of your financial forum?

d. Plan another visit—they’re just halfway between you and Uncle Bob’s beach house?

20. A friend has helped you get a job. You show your appreciation by: a. Calling weekly to describe your work.

b. Asking a mutual friend to convey your thanks.

c. Inviting him to lunch and a sincere thank-you.

d. Saying, “The job lacks future. Let me know when you hear of something better.”

TEST SCORING: 1. 5 points for d, 1 for b; 2. 5 points for b; 3. 5 points for b, 3 for d; 4. 5 points for a; 5. 5 points for a; 6. 5 points for a, three for c; 7. 5 points for d; 8. 5 points for a, 3 for d; 9. 5 points for c; 10. 5 points for a; 11. 5 points for c; 12. 5 points for a; 13. 5 points for b, 3 for d; 14. 5 points for c; 15. 5 points for b; 16. 5 points for c; 17. 5 points for c, 3 for b; 18. 5 points for c; 19. 5 points for a; 20. 5 points for c, 1 for b.

IF YOU SCORED: 85 to 100 You are no bore. You are the life of every gathering. The one voted most likely to succeed and first on every party list.

70 to 84 You may not know all the answers but you have shown that you have ingenuity of your own. You get an “E” for effort.

49 to 69 Your slips are showing.

Try listening for a while.

28 to 48 You are being boorish! It has been said, “A boor is an over-active bore!” Please don’t forget those twins, “Boorish and Borish.”

27 to 0 You need help! Forget about “I” and concentrate on “you.” Find another bore to practice on. With just a little study you’ll be able to climb much higher on the popularity scale.

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Simple Tricks for April Fool Jokesters

Anything in the way of a joke is excusable on April Fool’s day, but your tricks have to be original if they are to bring a laugh. The main thing is to take your unsuspecting victim by surprise, and for that these simple stunts sure fill the bill. Not only will they do duty on April first, but they will also liven up any party when things get dull.

By Dale Van Horn

WHAT HO, my lads! ‘Tis April First and time for simple, wholesome fun.

There’s nothing like a good joke party for rejuvenating purposes. You’ve got more license, if you like to execute practical jokes, on April First than any other time of the year. Let’s see what we can suggest.

Everyone likes chocolate coated patties. But a thin skin of chocolate can hide much. Get a nickel’s worth of plaster of Paris and add enough water to make a rather thin batter. Set out a pie tin or two and with a teaspoon drop spots of the plaster so they spread out in a good imitation of a peppermint patty. In five minutes they will have set. (See Fig. 6.) Making Fake Peppermint Candy In another dish fix up some real chocolate over the stove, adding only enough water and sugar to give a cream-thick liquid. With a pair of tweezers, dip these plaster bits in the chocolate, let them drip a moment, then place them back in the tin.

In an hour they will be ready. These can be mixed with real candy or served in any way you wish. The victim must get through the wholly edible and tasty coating to produce the desired results.

One of the best candy jokes is to get a box of good chocolates and provide a piece of white cardboard just large enough to fit down at the back. This card reads, in lettered fashion as shown in Fig. 8: “Good Candy. Help Yourself.”

The set-up is so obvious to many that they will shun the box like poison. Another laugh goes up when some bright person discovers that the candy is no fake.

Unless you have real peanuts beside them for comparison, ordinary raw kidney beans make an excellent imitation. Carefully crack a few peanuts, remove the nuts, touch the edges of the shells sparingly with glue and press the halves together again with kidney beans inside.

This stunt can be worked best if one fake is mixed in to the proportion of about 5 good peanuts for each serving. Get large sized beans if possible. Or the bean peanuts can be served by themselves if the crowd isn’t large.

Handkerchief Trick Gets the Laugh Here is a trick that is good in any gathering. Fasten a lady’s handkerchief to the floor with a long thumb tack, if possible, close beside a chair used by a lady as illustrated in Fig. 2. She should be tipped off and help in the victimizing of the first gallant male who saunters near.

Often the idea can be used several times during the evening. This can be varied by other articles to suit, such as a glove, scarf or purse.

A trick comb can be simply made which is good for any occasion for weeks afterward. Take an ordinary vest pocket comb and dip it in varnish or lacquer (clear) and let the covering harden in warm air.

Two coats will be best. The result is a comb which appears genuine but which will not comb hair! The comb can also be obtained from many novelty houses for . 10 cents.

Non-lathering Soap Bewilders Victim Put a fake bar of soap in the bath room for guests. This can be made at home in the following way. (See Figs. 9 and 10.) Get some sheet gelatin at the drug store and melt it down over a slow fire. Add a spoonful or two of water.

Set a celluloid or aluminum soap box out handy, and when ready pour the gelatin in this for a form. Then set away to cool.

The inside of the box should be greased slightly to facilitate the removal of the “soap.” It may be necessary to trim the edges slightly. You can give it a realistic look by actually using it a bit as you would soap, thus smoothing off all edges.

A small amount of some analine dye and also a couple of drops of perfume, will be worthwhile touches. What results when this soap is used, is no lather to begin with, and a thin film of the gelatin coats the hands which, if allowed to dry, gives a peculiar sensation. It can be washed off easily.

Victim Yanks Off False Hand The loose hand trick is always good. It may need a bit of rehearsing, but is not difficult. The host or hostess greets the guests at the door. He wears kid or thin cloth gloves. As the guest enters he shakes hands, but to the momentary horror of the victim his hand comes off in the guest’s.

The right glove is stuffed with cotton and the right hand is drawn back slightly into the loose-fitting coat sleeve, as demonstrated in Fig. 2. The hand actually fits into the wrist of the glove and grasps the cotton firmly enough to make the glove appear natural. The stunt can be used over and over during the evening. The Exploding Cigar Box Cigars are quite in keeping with the progress of any party. So no suspicions are aroused when you pass the exploding cigar box, shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Get an empty box which looks as if it had just been opened. Fasten a mouse trap, with the straight wire and staple removed, to the center in the manner shown in the photo, using small nails.

Whittle a small stick, sharpened to a point at one end and with a notch in the other.

One-half inch from the inside edge of the cover, midway between the ends, make a small hole half way through the lid, with the point of your knife. Now move the jaw of the trap to “set” position, place the notched end of the stick over this and fit the point into the hole in the cover as you close it.

Mouse Trap Does the Trick Raise the lid in the usual way. If things are working properly, the mouse trap will snap.

With everything in readiness, place a pistol cap at the edge of the strap so the jaw will strike it and fasten it there with a small brad. Or you can put the brad through from underneath and thus impale the caps upon this in firing position as needed. The unsuspecting victim will take the box and get the shock of his life.

This same trick is available at many trick and novelty houses in the form of a book which has a simple cap-firing mechanism in the back.

Another cap suggestion is to fasten several caps to the under edges of a chair rocker with bits of gummed paper. Sooner or later as the victim rocks back and forth, a concussion or two will break the moment’s hilarity.

Here is one more good trick that can be used on the street. An imitation gold watch was wired to the iron grating in a sidewalk on a busy street about noon one April First. To prevent the tie from showing, the wire was soldered to the under side of the case and the wires twisted beneath one of the grating bars.

About every five minutes the setting was good for a laugh. Some passerby spied the watch and stooped to pick it up. A burst of guffaws from across the street was his cue to go away from there. An average of 1 out of five pedestrians fell for the hoax.

Besides these home-made contrivances for April First fun, you will find no end of amusing devices at low cost on the market. A large group of manufacturers and jobbers make a specialty of trick contraptions which will produce the results desired when wanted.

It is suggested that you intersperse the stunts mentioned above with a few of these more complicated articles, to add to the fun. One trick spoon on the market gets a laugh when the victim finds that the bowl falls, spilling the contents over the front of his shirt and vest.

It’s hard to imagine a group of people with more moral authority than the editors of Photoplay.

Spend your money and he’ll keep his job!

THIS YEAR the government will spend 5 billion less dollars than it did last year, because it doesn’t need so many guns, tanks, planes and other implements of war. This was your money paid to the government in taxes. Now the government’s letting you spend those 5 billions for yourself.

The important thing to remember about this is: The production lines that turned out those products of war now have to turn out peace-time goods. If you don’t buy the automobiles, the clothing, the freezers, the washers, vacuum cleaners, toasters, mixers that American factories are now manufacturing, the men on production lines will-be laid off. And then they won’t be able to buy the things you are making.

If you continue to spend your money wisely for the things you need, our working men will continue to have money to buy what they need. On the other hand, if you’re one who is waiting for bargain days, remember that jobs depend on your buying what is made now. A bargain is no bargain if you wait until there’s no money with which to buy it.

This is what all of it means in terms of people: Joe Brown works on an assembly line making washing machines. Even though Joe is making more than ever before, Mrs. Brown decides she’d better put off buying that new refrigerator they’ve been needing so long. On the other hand, Bill Smith works on an assembly line making refrigerators. When Mrs. Brown decides not to buy a refrigerator, she makes Bill Smith’s job unnecessary, and he gets laid off. Bill comes home without his job and tells his wife: “Better hold off buying that washing machine you wanted till I find some other work.” Bang! Joe Brown finds himself out of a job, too!

So if you want to protect your own job, buy now—buy wisely, buy what the other fellow makes, and he will have the money to buy what you make.

To have your cake, you must eat it. And, if you eat your cake, there won’t be any breadlines, there’ll be saleslines.

THE EDITORS

Sculptor Gets Pose in Half-Minute

THOSE who wish to have their classic profiles excavated from the ruins a thousand years from now, may now secure a sculptured portrait of themselves without posing for hours on end. Only thirty seconds of sitting are now necessary to enable Artist William Fred Engleman to turn out a portrait bust in clay, marble or bronze.

Engleman, who combines science with his art, has invented a special camera which takes five hundred pictures of the model in thirty seconds. The photos are taken from such angles that every detail of the contour of the face and head are revealed.

Rough Riding Autos Injure Health

SCIENTIFIC support for the popular idea that traveling in a rough riding automobile may injure health was supplied in a recent scientific address. Long or frequently repeated automobile trips are likely to affect the kidneys by causing congestion of these organs with blood, often followed by actual bleeding, which is dangerous.

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Micro Electronics.

The basis for continuing innovation.

From the leader…

TIs 990/9900 First Family.

Most cost-effective means of using microelectronics. To improve. To change. lb innovate for today and tomorrow Tl’s 990/9900 Family Software Compatibility from Components to Boards to Systems Not quite twenty years ago, the integrated circuit was born at Texas Instruments. And sparked a pervasive revolution that’s impacting all our lives.

It launched the thrust toward today’s incredible circuit complexities. Causing product sizes to shrink as performance increases. And as prices decline.

The Kilby integrated circuit was the catalyst for today’s “computer on a chip.” TV games. Intelligent terminals. Distributed processing. Digital watches. The multi-function personal calculators now becoming as ubiquitous as transistor radios.

Throughout this swift progression, Texas Instruments was —and remains —in the forefront of leadership. With a continuous succession of new technologies in materials and methods. Advances in circuit architecture. In processing and imaging techniques. In software. And in packaging.

All making technology readily affordable. Giving you the means to employ microelectronics for change. For innovation. For creating new and better designs.

The latest, most challenging and potentially most advantageous development in microelectronics from TI: the unique 990/ 9900 First Family.

Broad compatible choice TFs 990/9900 family offers the broadest available selection of software-supported microprocessors, microcomputers, minicomputers and systems.

All are software compatible. From components up through the minicomputers. And as technology advances, new members of the 990/9900 family will evolve to keep you up to date.

Thus, the programs and training you develop not only apply today. But also in the years ahead. Your design and software investments are protected. As you adapt. Innovate. Move from application to application.

Already, 9900 microprocessors are finding widespread use. To name a few areas: Test instruments. Process controls. Data terminals. Cars. Distributed processing networks. Programmable calculators. Telecommunications.

First Family microcomputer modules suit many of these applications. Particularly where production runs are small and economics do not warrant developing a custom circuit board.

The 990 mini/microcomputers are proving indispensable in a variety of data processing systems. Such as room and car reservations. Retail/wholesale order entry and inventory control. Automated manufacturing.

Five microprocessor options First Family microprocessors utilize an advanced memory-to-memory architecture. That locates general-purpose register files in memory. To give you the combination of cost and performance best suited to your application.

•TMS 9900-Single-chip N-channel Metal Oxide Semiconductor (NMOS) 16-bit microprocessor with full minicomputer capability.

• SBP 9900-Single-chip 16-bit Integrated Injection Logic (PL) twin to the TMS 9900 for severe operating environments.

• TMS 9980-Single-chip 16-bit NMOS microprocessor incorporating 8-bit oriented memory.

• TMS 9940-single-chip 16-bit NMOS microcomputer incorporating memory and input/output (available soon).

•S481 Chip Set-Transistor Transistor Logic (TTL) modularly expandable, microprogrammable building blocks.

Peripheral circuits in plenty A wide choice of peripheral circuits supports these microprocessors. Included are parallel and serial communication devices plus dedicated input/out- put components. Coming: Large-scale controllers for high speed data transfers, floppy discs and cathode ray tubes.

Microcomputer chip set When your design calls for the performance of a customized microcomputer, the logical choice is the First Family’s S481 microcomputer chip set.

The S481 offers extremely fast throughput. And complete microprogrammability. Emulates 9900 instructions as well as other instruction sets.

Economical microcomputer modules Another way the First Family helps you meet time and cost goals effectively is through its series of ready-to-use microcomputer modules.

The TM 990 microcomputer modules consist of single circuit boards containing a TMS 9900 or TMS 9980 microprocessor, memory, input/output and other circuitry. Preassembled. Pretested. And expandable.

They’re ideal for evaluating 9900 microprocessors. For implementing a microprocessor-based design where time-to-market is short. And, in quantity, affordable for production runs.

The First Family’s 990/4 microcomputer is an off-the-shelf answer to many production problems. It also comes in a choice of low-cost chassis. And with power supplies, operator’s front panel, interfaces and peripherals to make it a complete microcomputer system.

Affordable minicomputer The 990/10 general purpose minicomputer is the First Family’s most powerful member. Providing the high performance speeds demanded by many applications. Built to give maximum processing power. And backed by high-level software languages —FORTRAN IV, COBOL and multi-use BASIC —as well as a large selection of peripherals.

Applications support systems A variety of software and hardware development aids support the 990/9900 spectrum. For example, dedicated software and firmware development support is provided by the new FS 990/4 and AMPL* systems.

The FS 990/4 combines the high performance of the 990/4 microcomputer with the low-cost flexibility of a floppy disc. With a video display terminal, interactive development and maintenance software, and FORTRAN IV—an optional higher-level language. All the features and components required to develop and execute a wide range of programs.

Capitalizing on the power of the FS 990/4 is the AMPL Advanced Microprocessor Prototyping Lab. A dedicated design lab where 990/9900-based systems can be developed in an integrated software/hardware design and debug sequence.

AMPL features TMS 9900 microprocessor emulation. The interactive process allows simulation/test and emulation/test. With minimum delay between identifying and implementing a needed design change. Result: Substantial savings in design time and cost.

The First Family is further supported by nationwide time-share and cross-support —transportable assemblers and simulators—for in-house computers.

TIs original integrated circuit changed the entire character of electronics. Judging from that impact, the effect of today’s microelectronics will probably be far beyond anything we can forecast now.

The 990/9900 First Family-broad, compatible and growing — is designed to give you the sound, secure basis for entering the microelectronics era today. And for remaining abreast of future developments. With minimum redesign. Minimum re-learning. And minimum software reinvestment.

Investigate the First Family’s benefits and advantages. Call your nearest TI field sales office or TI distributor.

TI leadership in memories: New CCD memory. New bubble memory.

Progress in memories at Texas Instruments parallels developments in microprocessors. Two significant memory innovations from TI offer greater performance. Greater capacity. And eliminate several serious design bottlenecks.

New 65K CCD memory TI’s new TMS 3064 is the first 65K charge-coupled device (CCD) memory on the market. A low-cost, high-performance memory that plugs the gap between highspeed Random Access Memories (RAMs) and low-speed, serial-access magnetic memories.

It utilizes a unique CCD structure developed by TI to achieve the highest density of any semiconductor memory.

New 92K bubble memory Non-volatile, TI’s new TIB 0103 is one-up on other memories. It remembers when the power is off.

Having a capacity of 92,304 bits, it’s the first commercially available magnetic bubble memory. A natural for applications where portability is desired in programmable calculators. Data loggers. Voice storage. Measurement and test equipment.

It’s ideal for data terminals (see below). Word processing. Controllers. As an alternative to disc and drum storage. With its microprocessor-compatible interface family, the TIB 0103 can also handle the microprocessor mass memory function.

For more information on these new memories, call your TI field sales office.

Distributed processing: Putting computing power closer to the problem.

Distributed logic and memory locates data bases and processing at the points of greatest use. And promises vast potential for increasing productivity.

Bubble memory terminals A major step forward is TI’s new Silent 700* Model 765 Portable Memory and Model 763 Memory Send-Receive Terminals.

Their TIB 0103 bubble memory permits data to be entered and stored all day long. Then, when phone rates are lowest, the data can be transmitted to the computer at high speeds.

These new memory data terminals have 20K bytes of bubble-memory storage expandable to 80K bytes —the equivalent of 16 to 20 fully typed pages. And virtually silent, non-impact printing means high performance and reliability.

Intelligent terminals The new Model 770 Intelligent Terminals remove a burden from host computers by preprocessing data on the spot. Errors are reduced and speed and accuracy are increased in source data entry applications.

Additional savings result from transmitting batched data when line rates are lowest.

Both the bubble memory and the intelligent terminals use the TMS 9900 microprocessor for control of logic functions.

For more information on these terminals, call your TI sales office or write Texas Instruments Incorporated, P. O. Box 1444, M/S 784, Houston, Texas 77001.

Please, someone save this pony! He needs help oh so bad.

Quick! Lead Me Out!

And You May Have Me

“Help—I’m caught in these terrible stockyards. I’m hungry! Starving! I don’t know how to get to that big sack of oats on the outside. What boy or girl will lead me out?”

Can You Find the Right Path?

Won’t you try? How I will love to carry you on my back for long rides if you do. The right path may start at my feet. I’m sure it leads direct to my oats. But I’m only a pony and need some boy or girl to help me—Oh so bad! When you find the path, just mark it plainly with a pencil and send it to my owner. Yes! He is going to give me, with my saddle and bridle, to some boy or girl who leads me out of these awful yards. Some bright-eyed boy or girl will win me.

10 Dandy Ponies Given.

My owner has ponies like me for girls and boys. Not one but ten can win. Hurry! Don’t let me go hungry. Find the right path quick. Find out just how to get me by return mail. My owner will pay $25 cash extra to winners as a reward for prompt action.

V. T. FARNEY, Room 303 801 Second Street. Des Moines. Iowa