Ever feel like you’re fumbling in the dark, trying to find something in the back of your wagon, truck bed, or even a dimly lit workshop? That’s exa…

[More Than Just a Mower: A Legacy of Ingenuity](#more-than-just-a-mower-a-legacy-of-ingenuity)

[The Problem: Squandered Outdoor Space](#the-problem-squandered-outdoor-space)

Remember that little annoyance when you unplugged your toaster, only to be greeted by a spaghetti tangle of cord? Mrs. A.R. Tagg from Ishpeming, Mi…

Learn all about Easy To See Croquet Wickets in this comprehensive guide.

User-Centric Design: The core of this innovation lies in simplifying maintenance for the end-user.

[Introduction: Beyond Just Sunglasses](#introduction)

Picture this: it’s a sweltering July afternoon in 1958. The air is thick with the scent of salt and sunscreen (or what passed for it back then). Ou…

Ever wrestled with a spray can, only to have it sputter and die when you tilt it just so? It’s a familiar frustration, a little annoyance that chip…

Ever looked at a simple, everyday object and wondered about the story behind it? I’m talking about those little things that just… work. Today, we…

Learn all about A Plug-In Bar in this comprehensive guide.

Learn all about SLR Carrying Case in this comprehensive guide.

A Timeless Problem: The core issue of unattended cooking is a persistent one.

(Table of Contents)

Learn all about Hinged Steel Mesh in this comprehensive guide.

Learn all about A Pipe Fitting in this comprehensive guide.

Ever fumbled with your car’s gas cap, awkwardly reaching behind that little flap? It’s a minor inconvenience, sure, but these small frustrations ad…

Back in the day, specifically January 1962, a keen mind named Dr. S.M. Dooreck from Brooklyn, New York, jotted down an idea that’s both hilariously…

[The Tangled Tale of Cords](#the-tangled-tale-of-cords)

Ever feel like you’re trying to pull a tiny, stubborn splinter out of the side of a massive, complex project? That little shard of a problem, seemi…

Imagine this: it’s late, the power’s out, or you’re elbow-deep in a car engine. Your trusty flashlight is in one hand, but you desperately need two…

Ever felt like your home heating system is playing hide-and-seek with warmth? You crank up the thermostat, but those radiators seem to be hoarding …

[The Audacious Idea](#audacious-idea)

[The Weekend Getaway Paradox: Feeding Your Fish When You’re Away](#the-weekend-getaway-paradox-feeding-your-fish-when-you-re-away)

Ever stared at your toothbrush and thought, “There has to be a simpler way?” Well, back in the bygone era of 1960, a chap named S.S. Smith from Oak…

We’ve all been there. You’re settling in for a cozy movie night, or maybe just trying to get comfortable after a long day, and suddenly… slide. Y…

Ever wonder how much juice that old refrigerator is really sucking out of the wall? Or maybe you’re an innovator looking to shave precious watts of…

Ever been stuck in the biting cold, your car battery begging for a lifeline, or your engine heater just out of reach? It’s a frustratingly common s…

Ever stumbled upon a gem from a bygone era that sparks an idea for today? Back in January 1959, J.M. Blasko from Savanna, Ill., submitted a pretty …

Remember the good ol’ days when your car’s trunk was mostly for suitcases and maybe a cooler? Fast forward to today, and your vehicle often doubles…

Learn all about Signal Strips On Frozen Food Packages in this comprehensive guide.

Ever looked at a simple piece of tech and thought, “There has to be a smarter way?” That’s the spark of innovation! Today, we’re diving deep into a…

The “Plug-In Jack” Principle: Simple, direct solutions to complex problems are often the most effective.

Learn all about A Bottle Opening Drawer Handle in this comprehensive guide.

[The Dawn of Instant Crispness: A 1958 Vision](#the-dawn-of-instant-crispness-a-1958-vision)

Samuels’ initial thought was elegantly straightforward: create a visual cue, a warning light system, that could communicate critical information to…

Remember those old-school terracotta pots? Solid, dependable, but utterly opaque. You’re watering blind, hoping for the best, and only discovering …

[The Humble Snow Shovel Gets an Upgrade](#the-humble-snow-shovel-gets-an-upgrade)

Remember those days (or maybe you’re still living them!) when your car’s heater was less a comfort feature and more a wild beast you had to wrestle…

Learn all about An Oil-Fired Flame Thrower in this comprehensive guide.

Pro-Tip: Don’t be afraid to explore seemingly simple combinations. Often, the most effective innovations address overlooked in…

Remember those charming music boxes from your childhood? The ones that played a single, sweet tune when you opened them? What if you could have a m…

Learn all about A Foot Warming Hunting Boot in this comprehensive guide.

Imagine this: you walk into a hotel room, or perhaps you’re just tired after a long day at home. Instead of wrestling with fitted sheets and duvet …

Remember those nail-biting moments? You’re hauling a load, maybe heading up a snowy incline or navigating a muddy job site, and your truck just… …

It’s February 1961, and S.L. Steigman from Howard Beach, New York, is showcasing a clever bit of engineering: an electric iron designed with safety…

Remember that old idea of a magnetic belt for holding nails and small parts? Muriel Carey from New Castle, PA, shared this gem back in February 196…

Learn all about A Pooch Drying Tent in this comprehensive guide.

[Introduction: The Ingenuity in Everyday Problems](#introduction)

Remember that one time you were trying to smooth out a tiny, intricate wooden toy, or perhaps a delicate piece of metalwork? The big sander was too…

Nostalgic Innovation: Radio tie points were a clever, physical solution for managing electrical connections in early electronics.

Imagine the humble beginnings of cinema. Before seamless digital playback, filmmakers dealt with the physical reality of film reels. Threading a pr…

Remember those old station wagons? They had a little trick up their sleeve – a pulldown partition, often a bit of fuzzy fabric or a simple plastic …

Ever had one of those little ouchies on your fingertip? You know, the kind that makes every little thing, from typing an email to opening a bag of …

Ever found yourself in that all-too-familiar gardening dilemma? You’ve nurtured a beautiful plant, watched it grow, and now it’s time for a bigger …

[The Spark of an Idea: Back to 1959](#the-spark-of-an-idea-back-to-1959)

Imagine this: it’s pitch black, you’re driving down a deserted country road, and suddenly, you have a flat tire. You pull over, fumbling for your f…

Learn all about Pull Out Dome Lights in this comprehensive guide.

Ever found yourself on a road trip, desperately needing to feed your little one, only to realize the milk is lukewarm and there’s no easy way to wa…

Imagine a seasoned woodworker, hunched over a piece of precious lumber. The afternoon sun, a golden spotlight in his workshop, glints off his tools…

[A Blast from the Past: The 1958 Vision](#a-blast-from-the-past-the-1958-vision)

Remember those days when winding up a little dial was your ticket to waking up to a silent house? Or maybe you’re picturing a simpler time, where a…

Remember the sheer joy – or perhaps the festive frustration – of wrestling with tangled strings of Christmas lights? The endless search for that on…

Learn all about Quick Release Car Trunk Lid in this comprehensive guide.

Remember those old-school gems, the ones crafted with a bit of grit and a whole lot of ingenuity? This isn’t just about a saw; it’s a snapshot from…

Learn all about Speedier Mailboxes in this comprehensive guide.

Imagine a world before instant digital recall, where capturing critical information required a tangible, immediate solution. Back in December 1961,…

Remember when innovation felt a little more… literal? Back in December 1961, F.J. MacDonald from Fairmont, West Virginia, penned a concept that, …

Imagine gathering around a dinner table, not just for conversation, but for a shared culinary creation. Picture a sleek, durable hub, perhaps adorn…

Remember that sinking feeling when your loaded shopping cart starts to roll away on a sloped parking lot? Or the embarrassment when it bumps into s…

Remember those little plastic contraptions that lived on car dashboards, designed to corral loose change for tolls and parking meters? They were si…

Picture this: It’s December 1960. The scent of freshly brewed coffee is wafting through the air, but there’s no tedious scrubbing of a greasy perco…

Remember those winter days? The ones where your fingers felt like frozen sausages, and the thought of wrestling with a dozen tiny eyelets and slipp…

Learn all about Stick On Roll Film in this comprehensive guide.

Table of Contents

Small problems often hide big innovation opportunities.

Picture this: it’s December 1959. The world is abuzz with new possibilities, from space exploration to the burgeoning automotive industry. Amidst t…

[The Versatile Saber Saw: More Than Just a Handheld Tool](#the-versatile-saber-saw-more-than-just-a-handheld-tool)

Learn all about Rubber Tread Covers in this comprehensive guide.

Table of Contents

Remember the days when loading a roll of film was a deliberate act, and keeping track of what was inside was crucial? In December 1958, Mrs. A.E. O…

Learn all about An Easier Oil Changing System in this comprehensive guide.

What Would You Do?

Learn all about Key Keepers On Electric Drills in this comprehensive guide.

Imagine it’s the late 1950s. The world is buzzing with post-war optimism and a relentless drive for progress. Color television is just hitting the …

Remember those kitchen nightmares? Standing over a hot pan, frantically trying to flip burgers or turn fries, only to end up with charred edges and…

Learn all about Christmas Scene Stencils in this comprehensive guide.

Remember those frosty mornings? The ones where your car looks like an ice sculpture and your driveway is a personal skating rink? For decades, inno…

Imagine this: you’re at a backyard BBQ, the grill is sizzling, and the corn on the cob is perfectly charred. You reach for the butter, but instead …

Back in August 1962, a contributor named J.L. Schauer from Norwich, Connecticut, penned a simple yet ingenious idea in a publication: “Curbside vie…

Imagine this: you’re deep into a critical weld, sparks are flying, and the heat is building – not just from the arc, but from the suffocating confi…

Ever felt stuck with a problem that just wouldn’t budge? Sometimes, the most elegant solutions aren’t about brute force, but about clever adjustabi…

Imagine this: It’s time to defrost that beast of a chest freezer. You’ve unplugged it, the ice is melting into a soupy mess, and you’re faced with …

Ever stared at a fuse box in a moment of panic, trying to decipher which breaker corresponds to which flickering light or dead outlet? It’s a unive…

Ever looked at your Venetian blinds and thought, “Could these simple slats be doing more?” Turns out, back in the groovy summer of 1961, an innovat…

Imagine this: a tool so revolutionary it felt like pure science fiction. A hammer that wielded itself, powered by electricity, light enough for a s…

Learn all about Recessed Cargo Hooks in this comprehensive guide.

Learn all about Adjustable Foot Rests in this comprehensive guide.

Learn all about A Built-In Bottle Opener in this comprehensive guide.

[The Secret to a Smoother Start: Bottled Gas Advantage](#the-secret-to-a-smoother-start-bottled-gas-advantage)

Back in the day, back in August 1960, a brilliant idea sparked from Leola, Arkansas. Katherine Riggan, a sharp innovator, looked at the typical out…

Reusable Dispenser: A novel design for a powdered soap dispenser that attaches to any new soap refill carton.

Learn all about A Transparent Mailbox in this comprehensive guide.

Imagine this: you’ve just spent a glorious day out on the water, the engine purring reliably. Now comes the less glamorous part – hauling that heav…

Learn all about Toothbrush Attached To Electric Razor in this comprehensive guide.

Imagine this: You’re cruising down a busy highway, maybe through a dark, winding tunnel or across a long, high bridge. Suddenly, traffic grinds to …

Imagine a ferocious storm rolling in, winds lashing, and suddenly, a shingle comes loose. Panic? Not if you’ve got a secret weapon: Roofing Strips….

Remember the days of fiddling with your car radio knob, frantically trying to balance highway roar with quiet suburban streets? That constant volum…

Ever had that heart-stopping moment when your trusty vacuum cleaner thunks ominously, and you just know a rogue bobby pin, a stray needle, or a sma…

This wasn’t just about hauling groceries; it was about unlocking new possibilities. Picture this: you’ve driven out to that perfect scenic overlook…

[The ‘Aha!’ Moment on the Water](#the-aha-moment-on-the-water)

[The Genesis of a Brilliant Idea](#the-genesis-of-a-brilliant-idea)

The core idea: Transparent aerosol cans allow users to see how much product is left, enhancing convenience and predictability.

A curved push broom for sweeping large areas, as in schools or factories. Flared ends would keep sweepings from escaping and save over-lapping. Ernest Lecy, New Orleans. April 1963 I don’t think anyone has created this idea yet, you can, however, get a rather wide push broom, such as this one available on Amazon. (affiliate […]

Ever been behind the wheel of a truck, navigating a winding mountain road, constantly fumbling for the headlight dimmer switch? We’ve all been ther…

Remember that spark of genius from April 1962? B.G. Holmes in Garden City, New York, was already envisioning a future where kitchen cleanups were a…

– [The Power of Observation](#the-power-of-observation)

Learn all about A Vise With Holes in this comprehensive guide.

Ever stumbled upon a brilliant idea, only to worry about it getting ‘exposed’ before it’s fully developed? Back in April 1962, a clever inventor na…

Imagine a world where your adventure vehicle seamlessly transforms from a mobile base camp to a cozy shelter, all without the hassle of unloading. …

Ever wrestled with a gas can, trying to pour fuel into your car without spilling a drop? You’re not alone. Back in April 1961, Dean E. Harding from…

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 1961Return To Creative Ideas

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 1961Air hammers such as this one on Amazon are pretty compact anyway these days! (affiliate link)Return To Creative Ideas

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 1961Modern-day drill presses such as this one on Amazon (affiliate link) have improved safety immensely since 1961Return To Creative Ideas

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 1961Return To Creative Ideas

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! Return To Creative Ideas

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 […]

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 Return To Creative Ideas

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) Return To Creative Ideas

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) Return To Creative Ideas

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 Return To Creative Ideas

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 […]

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 […]

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 1959Here’s a modern-day roller sold on Amazon (afilliate link)Return To Creative Ideas

A dual-purpose carport. With oversized plastic sprinkler hose on the enclosed side and along the roof, the carport could double as a home car wash. – Tom Rizzo, Brooklyn, N.Y. April 1959 Your best bet these days is probably a portable carport such as this one on Amazon and perhaps a jetwash also from Amazon […]

A transmission minder on the dash of an automatic-shift car to warn when transmission oil level is low. That fancy mechanism can cost plenty to fix. – J.M.Blasko, Savanna, Ill. April 1958 Return To Creative Ideas

A collapsible tot-toter for youngsters too big for a stroller, but small enough to weary easily on shopping tours or trips to the zoo. – D.L.Westphal, Rochelle Park, N.J. April 1958 The modern equivalent would probably be a foldable wagon such as this one sold by Amazon! (affiliate link) Return To Creative Ideas

A pot scouring attachment for an electric mixer. A disk with clamps to grip a steel-wool pad would clean even a burned pot in a hurry. – Mrs. Lawrence Frey, Brookville, Ind. April 1958 Although these days your probably best just with a decent dishwasher such as this one sold by Amazon! (affiliate link) Return […]

Food freezers with fur-coat storage space. Add a compartment at the side of an upright freezer, or a narrow drawer below a cabinet freezer. – Alden Smith, Newark, N.J. April 1958 Return To Creative Ideas

A station-wagon grille for use when the upper half of the tailgate is open. It would admit breezes yet keep youngsters or pets safely enclosed. – Mrs. L.L.Shook, Yorktown, Va. April 1958 Return To Creative Ideas

July 1963… Mirror helps level level. You could make an ordinary bubble level do a transit’s work by clipping on this recently patented side mirror. To establish a true horizontal line at a distance, you’d watch the bubble’s reflection while sighting along the top of the level, adjusting to center the bubble. With the mirror […]

November 1963… You wouldn’t have to grapple with a lunch-box meal if you carried it in this plastic box. After unhooking the domed top (with its clipped-in vacuum bottle), you’d let down the hinged sides to form a tray. Blocked-in ends would keep food from sliding and catch spills if the box were used as […]

October 1963… Suitable for one-man operation, this truck loader might simplify small-haul loading of gravel and similar cargo. The driver would maneuver his truck to push the scoop into the load, then winch the hopper-shaped scoop up and over the cab roof so it could tip its cargo into the truck. Go Back to Creative […]

October 1963… By moving the hinged side panels of this bed lamp you could direct the light to either or both sides, or shade either side so one person could read while another sleeps. With both ends inward, the lamp would provide indirect room light. Spring balls would hold the flaps in any position. Here’s […]

Here we have an early idea for a multipurpose tool – first published in April 1963. These days our local do it yourself stores are packed full of many, varied, multi-purpose tools… You could do a lot less interchanging of tools if you had this clever idea for a multi-purpose kit for a handyman job. […]

May 1963… Hitch hauls anchor from stern. You wouldn’t have to clamber forward to cast or haul this anchor. Its line would let out from the stern through a Venetian-blind type of one-way slide. A fixed-length bowline tied to the slide would hold the anchored boat in the usual way. To haul anchor, you’d pull […]

An idea from July 1963 for high visibility fertilizer and weed killer. Dying the pellets with bright colors would mean that you could see where you’d been and not overlap on a lawn. by S.Johnson(Wesleyville)

October 1963… An air traveler might avoid excess baggage charges by checking on luggage weight when he packs. He could do it easily by turning the handle of this suitcase to engage a built-in scale. Turning it back would lock out the scale, allow the handle to support the weight of the packed case. A […]

Here’s an interesting idea for an everyday item. Umbrellas have been around for thousands of years. In modern times they are usually collapsible so that they can be fit into a handbag or satchel and then brought out quickly just as a downpour begins to start.With this inventive change to an umbrella, you’d be well […]

September 1963… To simplify painting of window frames, wall moldings and other trim, this brush guard would limit the length of exposed bristles and guide them along the edge of the wood. The slip-on sleeve and sliding, thumbscrew adjusted guide would serve also to confine the bristles and keep them from spreading.

May 1963…Glasses light your work. Tiny bulbs above the lenses of these spectacles and batteries in the earpieces would put light where you want it and let you use both hands.Opaque reflectors behind the bulbs would focus the light and keep it out of your eyes. Switches in the frames would let you use either […]

by Dean Himmelreich(Milwaukee) June 1963… Garden edging blocks with long stakes precast and protruding from one side would prevent the need for having to dig a trench and would also keep them from moving or getting kicked around your garden.

This idea from April 1963 might be useful for those who like to do a portage – fold in wheels that can help you carry your boat or canoe. The lightweight wheels can be carried in a small boat or canoe, making lake to cabin hauling or lake to lake portaging much easier. This idea […]

A HEAT-DISPERSING FAN flat enough to hang between the wall and radiator where heat gets pocketed. It would operate much as a car heater does.—A. K. Baldentceck, Kirkwood, Mo.

A tripod flashlight mount, adjustable for height, that would swivel at various angles and lock. This would leave both hands free for the workman.—H. G. Frank, Teaneck, N.J.

A non-tangling cord an on an electric drill and similar shop equipment. Why can’t they be sold with the self-coiling wire now commonly used on telephones?—W. C. Fox, Nampa, Idaho.

Made short enough to fit inside a capped soda bottle, this plastic (or plastic-coated) straw would rise to sipping height when the bottle was opened. A bell-shaped float would supply lift, rising on gas bubbles. To sink the float when the bottle was being filled, the inventor suggests filling it with ice or sugar.

A scuba diver might travel under water faster and easier – and with less turbulence – on this snake-like craft. By lying on a frame and manipulating a crank, he’d undulate a rubbery sheet beneath him. The inventor claims the flexing would simulate the movements with which a fish or reptile propels itself.

June 1963… Flag signals shallow water. At low tide or in unfamiliar water, you’d navigate more confidently if you had a flag-ended feeler like this pivoted to the hull of your boat. Opposed springs normally would hold the arm upright. On contact with an obstruction, the flag would dip, alerting you to shallow waters and […]

July 1963… A false bottom makes the pool safer. An electric motor, plus a system of pulleys and guide rails, would raise this protective net from its normal position at the bottom of a pool so that, in an emergency, anyone in the pool could be immediately brought to the surface. When unattended, the pool […]

June 1963…Electric basin heats water. A sink like this at your country cabin might give you hot water convenience on a boiler-less budget.The basin would nest in a tank fitted with a coil heater. Two taps would feed a mixer faucet from a single inlet, but turning the hot tap would route the flow of […]

April 1963… A curved push-broom for sweeping large areas such as schools or factories would make the task much easier. Flared ends would keep the sweepings from escaping and save you the need of overlapping the area you’d just swept.

August 1963… This recent invention might cut waiting in a plant cafeteria, say, by letting each diner set his own place at counter or table. He’d do it by flipping over a tray to turn up a fresh setting, turning the soiled side down to be scrubbed by a rotating brush inside. Clips would hold […]

July 1963… Convex saucer keeps the cup dry. A concave seat on the bottom of this cup would rest on a matching convex portion of the saucer, thus holding the cup in place. And if any coffee slopped out of the cup, it would stay in the outer valley of the saucer, leaving the cup […]

April 1963…This idea for a come-apart barbecue grill with fewer cross pieces makes cleaning much easier.The rods would lock at the ends for use but they can also easily be disconnected for cleaning or for moving a section with tongs in order to stoke the charcoal.Although after living in Canada for 8 years, I learned […]

September 1963… Instead of squirming in and out of a taxi or other low-roofed car, invalids, oldsters (and even agile folks) could ride comfortably to or from the sidewalk on this patented slide seat. Flanged tracks under the seat and transverse rails on the car floor would let the driver move the motorized platform in […]

August 1963…Car hitch loads boat. Universal couplings on the ends of this boat-loading post would let one man lift his boat in toward the support and walk it around to the car-top cradle.Tipping the boat would drain it as he walked. To offload, he’d reverse the steps; and use the pole’s reach to set the […]

November 1963… You could enjoy more comfortable camping outside meals or quick roadside picnics if you carried a two-level folding table like this. Hooked to a car door, it would be firm and level even if the ground wasn’t. It would open and fold away quickly and take up less space than a conventional table.

This idea from April 1963 is for a cap that measures powdered coffee. No more guessing what the right amount of instant coffee should be for a standard-sized mug. With this idea, your instant coffee might be even more instant and better-tasting via perfectly measured amounts. You simply replace the jar cap of your instant […]

December 1963… Fold-out legs would convert this double-duty dispatch case into a reading stand or lectern that might be useful to a salesman, club officer, or the like. To expose the legs, you’d slide out a side panel from between grooved ends, then move the panel to the upper side to use its ledge for […]

By Ben T. Sheppard Bricks with protrusions at the sides could be used as spacers. This would make it a lot easier for the amateur bricklayer to keep each course level.

May 1963… Brake spins tail-light beam. A brake light might flash a more urgent and unmistakable warning if it were housed inside this slotted, motor-drive sleeve. Applying either the foot or hand brake would cause the sleeve to spin and thus give an apparent whirling motion to the light that is bounced rearward by a […]

August 1963…Bottle bib catches drips. Looped around the neck of a bottle, this absorbent strip would stop drips on the way down and soak them up before they could stain a tablecloth or mar a tabletop.The slightly curved strip, cut from any absorbent fabric or paper, would be slotted near one end so the other […]

April 1963… A padded motorcycle backrest, curved to fit the back. To provide a flat seat for a second rider, you’d move it back and swing the curved side down. by B.D.Galligher (Headrick)

An extra set of windshield wipers on the inside of a car. Fog, mist or condensation that forms there could easily be wiped off. This would help prevent the driver’s vision from being obscured. Wipers could either be operated manually or electronically. by C A Mallory (Conneaut, Ohio)

Edible toothpicks – spears of garlic-flavored pretzel stick of peppermint candy – for holding sandwiches together of for serving hors d’oeuvres. A.R. Dunham, Pasadena, California.

A shorten-at-will handle grip on one side of power lawn mowers so that you could get close to fences and other obstacles. It could telescope,  screw-in, or fold. W.P. Twigg, Oak Lawn, Ill.

Garden edging blocks with long stakes precast on one side. Then you wouldn’t have to dig a trench to prevent them from getting kicked around the yard. – Dean Himmelreich, Milwaukee.

Rear-window air deflectors on station wagons to keep out gales, yet allow ventilation throughout the car. The angle could be controllable by a switch on the dashboard. – John King, Ashkum, Ill.

Spray poles triggered at the bottom to operate an insecticide bomb held at the top. They would put you on target for spraying caterpillar tents or wasp nests in trees or under house eaves. – S. Smith, New Augusta, Ind.

High-visibility fertilizers and weed killers so you can see where you have been and not overlap on a lawn. Why not dye the pellets a bright color? S. Johnson, Wesleyville, Pa

A hide-away air conditioner to fit basement windows screened by shrubs. Cool air from a top vent would be ducted to a floor grille in the room above. A. A. Scott, Leonia, N.J.

Screw-in drain plugs for remote outboard tanks. Sloshing a left-over pint of gasoline out of that inch hole at the top of the can is for the birds. – H. Anderson, Cassopolis, Mich.

Children’s roller skates with a clip or other fastener underneath to hold the clamp key. Loose keys, constantly lost, are just a nuisance. – Mrs. E. Ross, San Bernardino, California.

Bumpers with built-in hitches for trailer hauling. Add-on hitches are unsightly and make it hard to get a push in an emergency. F.M. Maguire, Savannah

Designed for a small sports car bucket seat or better still to fit between the two seats, saddled over the hump. – Mrs. Carol G. Donahue, West Andover, Mass.Although doesn’t look too safe to me!

Trim that hard to cut long grass with extendable fingers at the sides of power lawnmowers. Tallgrass close to the house or garden beds would be guided into the path of the blade. – Dr. L.A. Russell, Newtonville, Mass.

Chemically treated netting, dyed green. Ideal for supporting vegetable vines. At the end of the season, it could be thrown on the compost pile to aid decomposition. G. Jorgenson, Tacoma

Is your dive too dark then you need this idea for underwater spotlights on skin-diving masks? A working light like a miner’s lamp would be out of the way where it wouldn’t impede the diver. – K.H. Schroeder, Westmont, N.J.

Let your kids have a bath in a shower with a shower bathtub – a deep, poly-plastic liner with a drain to fit inside shower stalls. Fine for bathing the kids in motels. hotels or summer cottages that don’t have bathtubs. – T.B. Ellis, Trenton, N.J.

Spring-loaded nail feeders – as each nail popped into the final position, a shaft or anvil would drop on the head. Pound it down and it would set the nail too. – J. Myers, Sylvania, Ohio

Fountain stamps with porous letters and a refillable ink reservoir. Clerks who stamp hundreds of forms daily wouldn’t waste motion swatting at a pad. – H. M. Monaghan, N.Y.

Quick-frozen lunches in disposable cartons – a boon to the sandwich detail. Pop them into the schoolbags in the morning and they’d thaw by noon. – Mrs. E. Miller, Lansing, Mich.

Light-reflecting trim on the sides of cars, designed to be part of the standard trim. Luminous plastic edging the chrome might do the job. – David F. Tufaro, Hartsdale, N.Y.

Broadcasting projectors for sound movies. Put a radio transmitter in the projector and a receiver in the speaker enclosure, and you would eliminate the need for a cable. – Charles R. DeKay, Grenada, Miss.

Finger grip holes at the center of a phonograph record. This idea would mean that when loading or unloading such discs the sound-track grooves would get less handling. – E.J.Monjack, Chicago Heights

Hunting and camping knives that carry their own whetstone in a recess in the handle. With this idea, you would never be caught in the woods with a dull blade. – W.L.Adams, East Syracuse, N.Y.

Bricks that have protrusions at the sides would mean that bricks could easily be laid with perfect spacing. This would make it much easier for amateur bricklayers to keep each course level. – Ben T. Sheppard, Columbus, Ga

Movie reels in square cans for upright storage on shelves. They wouldn’t roll, and they’d be easier to remove and replace than stacked cans. – A.R. Tanner Jr., Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

A motorized seat back in station wagons so you wouldn’t have to struggle with latches and hooks every time you wanted to make extra load space. – Phil Glotzbach, Kettering, Ohio

Jam-proof drawers in built-ins and furniture. A strip of wood across the top at the rear would keep things from spilling out over the back. By Mrs. J. Shuppert, West Acton, Mass. November 1963 Return To Creative Ideas

Bricks with one rounded face for paving walks. Smoothly curved edges ad corners wouldn’t snag a snow shovel and there would be less chipping of bricks. By Gary A. Larson, Kane, Pa. November 1963 Return To Creative Ideas

We need some device to prevent filling station attendants from whamming it down so hard that they chip the paint. By Ellis Thompson, Candler, N.C. November 1963 Return To Creative Ideas

Miniature TV tubes with a pilot at the base and at the socket would enable you to determine when to press them in safely. They’re devils when you can’t see their sockets – P. Legon, Malden, Mass And then came the transistor, and printed circuits! November 1963 Return To Creative Ideas

A no-platen typewriter for draftsmen that would roll on a drawing board. It would eliminate the printing of labels and instructions on drawings and blueprints – J.A. Defrees, Durhamville, N.Y. Perhaps not quite so useful in our modern-day world full of computers and Computer-Aided design software! November 1963 Return To Creative Ideas

Gripper snaps on the back panels of television sets and on the front panels of washing machines would save on repair time and there would be no screws to lose. Not much use for modern televisions which are currently not much thicker than the back panel itself! But us there soemthing else this idea could […]

A slide-out index behind wall telephones would enable you to quickly take note of numbers you need to remember. Often there is no flat surface near such phones and no place to note frequently used numbers.Great idea for the time but not so useful now we live in a world of electronic gadgets and smart […]

Shoelace kits with yards of lacing, metal tips, and a tip applying tool. With several kids in the family, you never have the right length of lace. – R. Klingensmith, Monroeville, P.A. Although, personally, I think the modern velcro fasteners that you find on some kids shoes these days is a much better idea!

Basin shaped floor mats for cars would hold that grit from icy roads that you track into the car, and they could be lifted out and emptied easily. Makes cleaning the car at the weekend much easier! – S. Selsky, Massapequa, N.Y.

Hand warming snow blowers would put their hollow handles to work. As the tubing for the handles ends up near the engine why not pipe hot air through it? No more cold hand while clearing the driveway or side walk! – Marks Stephens, Manchester, Conn.