Martin Gilliard
About Martin Gilliard
Posts by Martin Gilliard:
A vise with holes in the tops of the jaws would enable pins to be inserted. Thus would aid in opening rings or spreading U-shaped pieces of metal by cranking open the vise. – Robert Tomb, Indiana, Pa
April 1962
You can purchase a vise here on Amazon (affiliate link) however still no holes, it looks like this idea might not have been implemented yet!
This is an idea for a film-lock on a 35-mm camera. It could be set for either 20 or 36 exposure rolls. It would prevent you from unloading a 36 prematurely or tearing a 20 loose. – A.E.Ortner, New York City.
April 1962
This is an idea for a camping wagon where the front and back seats could be folded down. This would eliminate the need to unload the car when it comes time for sleeping. All your gear could be left in the rear of the vehicle and under the sleeping area. – Mrs. B.Clark, Sidney, Nebr.
April 1962
Pull out nozzles on cars so you could pour gas into the tank more easily. Often a fender gets in the way of pouring from an ordinary can. – Dean E. Harding, Guilderland, New York.
April 1961
Here’s a modern-day no spill gas can on Amazon (affiliate link)
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
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!