Boon For Housekeepers

1901

An ingenious inventor recently noticed that housekeepers frequently find it very difficult to keep their clotheslines in proper position, and, investigating further, he learned that all those who have occasion to use ropes or cords are often somewhat puzzled when they are called upon to tighten them or to maintain them in a strained position.

Consequently he set his brains to work and invented an instrument by means of which any rope or cord can be easily and securely tightened and held in position. The instrument consists of an iron rod, at one end of which are two other small, perpendicular rods, while at the other end is a wooden handle, similar to a crank, and which serves the same purpose. The slack portion of the cord is rolled around two perpendicular rods, and then by simply moving the crank the rope can be tightened to any extent desired. As soon as the crank begins to work the rope begins to wind itself around the rods, and when it is sufficiently tightened the free end can be securely fastened by means of a prop.

Chicago Chief's Automobile Ran Amuck

1910

CHICAGO. — An exhibition that appeared to be a cross between an imitation of a bucking broncho and a runaway train was given by Assistant Chief of Police Schuettler's red touring car in front of the temporary city hall on Randolph street one morning a few days ago.

While John Upton, chauffeur, was cranking the machine he was surprised to see it start backward. He made a wild dash for the brake, but the auto got away from him. It swept backward at increasing speed, crashed into a Milwaukee avenue car, swung completely around, and, heading west, went over the curbstone and knocked down several signs. It was heading for the basement door of a building at 211 Randolph street, but suddenly changed its mind and plunged off down the street.

"Upton chased the runaway to Franklin street, where he succeeded in getting control of the brakes. His victory was applauded loudly by a crowd of pedestrians who had fled to places of safety in near-by stores when the auto headed down the street.

Chauffeur Upton doesn't think the auto itself is to be blamed for "running amuck." In a written report to the assistant chief, Upton gives it as his professional opinion that while he was cranking the machine, somebody released the brakes and gave her full speed backward, just to see what would happen.

Upton had driven the assistant chief from his home, 3453 Bosworth avenue, to the temporary city hall. The auto was stopped on the south side of the street, heading east. The engine had "gone dead," and after Mr. Schuettler had stepped out the chauffeur started the cranking process. Then the excitement began.

In the early part of its surprising career the auto was chased by Chauffeur Upton, Sergt. Denman, Patrolman Quirk and a dozen pedestrians. When the machine buckled the curb and described an arc back into the street, the pedestrians concluded that they had had enough and fled for shelter. Upton and the bluecoats ran around in circles for a few moments, and then the bluecoats, too, turned the responsibility over to Upton and left the scene with much enthusiasm.

Porch Lamp is New Novelty

1915

Lights Interior as Well as Exterior of House

A novel porch lamp just announced illuminates both the hall or the front room and the porch. The lamp is mounted inside the house, adjacent to the porch. Part of the light is diffused thru the room, while a part of the horizontal rays is transmitted thru a one and a quarter inch tube to a globe outside the wall.


To Make Electric Controller

Evansville to Get Factory for Local Man's Patent

A $10,000 plant will be built in Evansville, Ind., next spring by a New York electrical concern which paid $40,000 for the patent on an electric controller invented by Michael Burns, of Evansville, according to a statement of James O'Toole, agent for the eastern concern. The plant will be used for assembling the controllers.


Non-Fly-Back Crank Arrives

CRYSTAL FALLS, Mich., Dec. 16. — Archie Liberty has invented a ratchet crank for automobiles which cannot fly back and break the arm of the operator. It consists of an ordinary crank with a flange attachment, with notches in its edge, forming a ratchet. On the outer casing, surrounding this ratchet, are six dogs that drop into the teeth of the ratchet and keep the crank from reversing.

Is Cranker of Car Operator? Judge Says No

Oakland, California, 1921

Because they disagreed as to whether cranking an automobile may be considered as operating one, the jurors which heard the evidence against John Trayler, charged with driving a machine while intoxicated, was out for more than two hours, although it required only about 45 minutes to hear the case.

Trayler, who was arrested at Eighth and Broadway, April 6 last, was seen cranking the car, at which time he was under the influence of liquor, but there was no evidence offered that he had driven the machine. The jury finally asked Judge L. S. Church, who presided, to explain just what was meant by operating a car. When he said cranking the engine was not operating the automobile and could not endanger anyone's life, except perhaps the cranker's, Trayler was acquitted.

—Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, May 19, 1921, page 2.