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
Martin Gilliard
About Martin Gilliard
Posts by Martin Gilliard:
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
A toolbox with a sliding handle. To balance an off-center load, you could move the handle along tracks on the top and lock it in the new position. – Joe Burke, Bay Port, mich.
April 1959
The modern-day equivalent would probably be something like this toolbox on Amazon (affiliate link) that simply has a handle that stretches the full length of the toolbox, therefore giving you the option to hold it exactly where you feel it is best balanced.
A tubular dip stick of clear plastic. You’d use it like a pipette to check the oil level: Insert it, put a thumb over the top and lift out a slug of oil for an easy reading. – A.P.Connor, Baltimore.
April 1959
If you need a dip stick for your vehicle you can purchase one here on Amazon (affiliate link).
A lawn roller with two openings. A drain on one side and an air intake on the other, both with plugs, would make emptying a roller faster and easier. – Joseph P.Izzo, Providence.
April 1959
Here’s a modern-day roller sold on Amazon (afilliate link)