Creative Ideas From The Past

Vacuum-packed safety matches. Packed in the can head down, with a striking surface inside the lid, matches would remain safe, dry, and rodent-proof. – Ray Shoberg, Milwaukee.

Rodents ate safety matches back in the 1950’s?

September 1959

When it comes to safety matches, there is no better option than those that are vacuum packed. Vacuum packing is a process that removes all the air from a container in order to extend its shelf life. This process also makes it almost impossible for the matches to be ignited by anything other than the striker on the box.

Safety matches are an essential item for any household as they can be used for lighting candles and lanterns. Vacuum packed safety matches are the best option as they are less likely to spontaneously ignite and are much safer to store.

Camouflaged cookie boxes. Labeled “macaroni” or “dried beans” maybe then the goodies would stay around long enough for your Dad to get a hand in the box!

By James Martin, East Orange, N.J.

September 1959

A bathtub with its drain at the end opposite the faucets. With the water running the length of the tub, it would be simpler to clean and rinse it.

By John Cronn, North Platte, Nebr.

September 1959

A flexible trouble lamp. A magnetic baseplate would conveniently cling to any part of the car to shed light without glare on the job at hand.

By Chas. Omartoucheski, Linden, N.J.

September 1959

A double-use trailer. In winter, you’d park it over a foundation, slide out the chassis and pull out a weatherproof seal from the trailer to the house door.

By A.Dorman, Everett, Wash.

September 1959

A fan attachment for a frill press to blow the chips away. A vaned cylinder that could be attached over the chuck should do the job.

By Bill Corney, Dearborn, Mich.

September 1958

Illuminated electric razors. Built-in lights would make it a lot easier to get a clean shave in bathrooms where the only lighting is overhead.

By H.L.Linenberger, Bastrop, Texas

September 1958

A horizontal tire rack beneath the car so the spare would serve as a pneumatic bumper. To free the tire, you’d unlock the rack and slide it out.

By E.L.Gallini, Springfield, Mass.

September 1958

While I think the tire as a kind of pneumatic bumper is a great idea in itself, it’s not the best-looking of solutions. Would possibly be a great solution for helping protect the rear of the car though!

These days though, when you think of horizontal tire racks I think something like this from Amazon is more likely to spring to mind…

Short-range radio sirens on fire trucks and ambulances. A howling signal transmitted over car radios would override loud-playing programs.

By Bob Dupwe, Russelville, Ark.

September 1958

This idea for collapsible lampshades would be ideal for families that frequently move long distances. Lamp shades take up lots of packing space and are easily damaged. – Lt. Col. C.M.Busbee Jr., San Francisco