Clamshell cases for tape recorders. With a mike fastened with a clip at the center, the open lid would become a parabolic sound reflector. – Walter Shelton, Amarillo, Texas.
April 1961
Martin Gilliard
About Martin Gilliard
Posts by Martin Gilliard:
Miniature air hammer the shape and size of a drill. It would be useful in tight or hard to get at places where a regular hammer won’t reach. – H.M.Gilbert, Kalamazoo, Mich.
April 1961
Air hammers such as this one on Amazon are pretty compact anyway these days! (affiliate link)
Safer drill press with an on-off switch actuated by the chuck key. There would be an auxiliary push-button for fast emergency stops. – PFC J.E.Kaphusman, Dundalk, Md.
April 1961
Modern-day drill presses such as this one on Amazon (affiliate link) have improved safety immensely since 1961
V-shaped expansion joints in railroad tracks would eliminate the familiar and annoying clickety-clack of trains riding the rails. – Warner Walker, Exeter, California.
April 1961
A rain veil on umbrellas to save a lady’s hairdo. The transparent plastic could be dropped inside the umbrella before closing and furling it. – D.J.Seigel, Flushing, New York.
April 1960
This umbrella on Amazon (affiliate link) was the closest I could find to a modern-day match of this idea!
This idea for a belt that doubles up as a tape measure would make it always handy. Most men wear a belt that is a least a yard long. Why not print measurements on the reverse side? – M.J.Pelsang, West New Yorj, N.J.
April 1960
I did manage to find a tape measure belt on Amazon UK although it wasn’t available for purchase at the time of posting.
A milk bottle lid with a short spout. When the bottle was opened, it would fit over the top in place of the paper cap to make pouring easier. – G.A.Alexander, El Cajon, California.
April 1960
Transparent battery caps would enable you to see whether or not a car battery needed water without removing the caps and without soiling your hands. – Kay Gordin, Derby, Kan.
April 1960
No need to add water anymore! You can purchase a heavy-duty, long-lasting car battery from Amazon (affiliate link)
Hot water tanks you could reach into. Use a drain-off tap with a threaded end six inches in diameter. Unscrewing it would provide a clean-out opening. – Andy Vena, Philadelphia.
April 1960
Technology has obviously improved somewhat since 1960! Here’s a mini water heater on Amazon (affiliate link)
Aluminum-ribbed boats in kit form. The metal ribs could be bolted to plywood, eliminating screws that so frequently pull out or break off. – K.N.Croshier, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
April 1959