A deflatable seat in sedans would give you more luggage space for use on long trips or would make extra room for hauling bulky objects.
By F.J.MacDonald, Fairmont, W.Va.
December 1961
Personally, I think the foldable rear car seat that you see in many modern-day cars is a better idea. Inflatable car seats would be prone to punctures over time!
This idea for a heavy-duty multiple outlet box would be ideal for cooking at the table. It would be a bit like a photographer’s lightbox and would look good if enclosed in ceramic tiles.
By H.Kearney, Elizabeth, N.J.
December 1961
Brakes on shopping carts would be great for unloading your shopping when the cart is on uneven ground. It would prevent the cart from rolling away and banging into other people’s cars.
By L.D.Kurtz, Greensburg, Pa.
December 1961
A change holder on the car dashboard. Why not a smaller version of the bus driver’s change maker to deal out coins for parking and road tolls?
By Mrs.R.H.Fitzpatrick, Gary, Ind.
You can purchase a change holder from Amazon here. (affiliate link)
December 1960
Throwaway perking bags of flow-through fabric or paper. They’d hold premeasured coffee and eliminate cleaning that messy percolator basket.
By H.Lemunyon, N.Industry, Ohio.
December 1960
You can purchase a modern-day percolator from Amazon, however, for disposable coffee pods these days you would be better with a coffee maker such as this one also on Amazon. (affiliate links)
Zip-up ice skates with laces too – to adjust indoors. Outdoors, you’d just zip them on or off without freezing bare hands or fumbling with laces.
By J.J.Drill, St. Nazianz, Wis.
December 1960
Can do one better these days with a modern pair of ice skating boots such as this pair on Amazon that includes a locking buckle and strap. (affiliate link)
Stick on roll film you’d press onto a take-up reel instead of fussing with a slot. There’d be an adhesive on the back of the first inch.
By A.R.Tanner Jr., Poughkeepsie, New York.
December 1960
Alternatively in modern times, simply purchase yourself a full digital SLR kit on Amazon! (affiliate link)
Air-breathing valves on storm doors so they’d be easier to close. The valve would automatically bleed off air caught between the inner and outer door.
By M.Malmgren, Aurora, Ill.
December 1960
Foil pocket liners to keep coat pockets free of tobacco shreds and lint. They could be lifted out to serve as disposable ashtrays too.
By C.J.Berger, Plainview, New York.
December 1959
Not overly convinced with this idea, but maybe that’s just me. Luckily I don’t smoke so it wouldn’t be an issue anyway.
For the smokers maybe just get a normal ashtray such as this one from Amazon. (affiliate link)
A two setting car thermostat for quick heat in winter, normal in summer. You’d adjust a setscrew mounted in a water-tight bushing in the housing.
By W.M-Handley, Mentor, Ohio.
December 1959
Great idea but miles away from the dual climate control with exact temperature selection available in many modern-day cars!
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