Something New

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 871, 15 January 1930, Page 8

Something New

Inventions of Aucklanders

INVENTORS, it seems, are as numerous in Auckland as tliey are anywhere else. Year in and year out tlie\ scheme and experiment; some to good purpose, others futilely, but all in the hope oi reaping a harvest Irom an idea. “there is nothing new under the sun,’ says the sage. “Nonsense,” replies the man in the Patents Office—hairy Godfather of inventors. “Look at my register ioi J—. • An'd one peeps into a world of plans and schemes.

It was true that, from the viewpoint of the Patent Man, many things under the sun are new. Yet many more are simply adaptations of existing principles. For the most part, the contributions of Auckland experimentors are labelled with the significant word “Improvement.” In 1929 there were patented improvementSjto all manner of things. The real inventions were comparatively few. Who are our inventors? Well, there are those who attempt to make mechanical and other discoveries their full occupations,” says the Patents Mau. Others experiment for fun and often those to whom invention is a hobby are the most successful. “One retired man—brother of a prominent New Zealand police official has made money out of a little device for stropping safety-razor blades, and another for picking up gramophone needles. OUTSTANDING INVENTIONS In the past year several outstanding Auckland inventions were patented. Among these were a rotary engine and pump, considered to have a great future, and a new gear-box for motorcars which makes gear-changing, easy, noiseless, and certain. Another invention which promises, it is said, to draw from America a first payment in the vicinity of £BO,OOO, is a new method of preparing zinc plates for offset printing. One Aucklander has an improved heel for shoes, much more springy and satisfactory than the old style. Another offers an improved bedstead. Cleaning and polishing mops of new design that will strike terror into the hearts of long-legged spiders, have been devised. “Although these inventions are patented,.they may not all appear on the market,” says the Patents Man. “Some people rush for a patent, pigeon-hole it, and forget about it. Others patent ideas, then find them impracticable. Other inventions of the year were: Motor headlights that conform to safety principles and give ease of adjustment. NEW BREAD-CUTTER An improved bread-cutting machine

that Is designed to cut faster, better and more simply. A safety cargo sling for use on wharves. New shearing, top-dressing, and milking machines. “These reflect the change in farming methods,” observes the Patents Man. “For instance, the popularity of top-dressing machine inventions follows the modern popularity of top-dressing on the land.” An improved music-holder for the pianoforte. A safety-brake for railway trams. A device for saving people imprisoned in sunken submarines. A fastener for window sashes. An improved collar for men's wear. Self-starters for motor-ears. Aucklanders have produced a number of ideas of this type. An electric safety-switch for preventing railway collisions. A safety device for passenger lifts. An improved type of weed destroyer. A two-cycle engine of new design. “This is an important one,” comments the Patents Man. “It has stood up to exhaustive tests and promises to be of great interest.” An improved pianoforte action. An automatic lamp for motor-cars that turns and throws a beam of light the way the car is turning. “GINGER” THE SCARECROW Improved polishing brushes with bristles down the sides. A device for snaring snails. A “cattle control” consisting of a bar for fitting across a bull’s horns in such a way that, if he charges, it exerts pressure on the ring through his nose. An improved scarecrow. “Ginger Mick” by name, this robot swings long arms mounted on ball bearings and produces a loud rattling sound. A device for collecting grass seed. A new type of cigarette carton. Although the Patents Man asserts that the year was a quiet one for inventions there are dozens of others «Xach representing a flash of inspiration or the patient toil of many days. The Patents Man carries out his protective work, then leaves them to reach success or obscurity strictly on their merits. E.H.S.M.