ATTENTION, MR. DRIVER!

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 84, 11 April 1939, Page 16

ATTENTION, MR. DRIVER!

"CALLBOY" GIVES THE ALARM

The newest invention to simplify motoring is a small oblong box called "The Callboy."

It is fitted hi a car, and at measured intervals it presents the driver with tickets stating the service attention the vehicle requires. The driver then hands each ticket—as it appears—to a garage, with the request that the work be carried out. If he is an expert he himself does the work.

The mechanism inside the box is operated and governed automatically by the car's movement. When the car stops the "Callboy" stops registering and resumes when the car s'tarts again. Thus the "running time" only is recorded.

The vibration of the car operates a sensitive pendulum. The "clock" is set to release each ticket after a stated interval of "running time."

At present one of the chief complaints of car manufacturers is that the forgetfulness of motorists concerning correct servicing of their cars results in abnormal wear, and dissatisfaction to the owners.

They say that the service charts they supply to buyers of new cars are often mislaid. Guesswork follows—as the months go by the attention the catreceives becomes progressively more haphazard. In the end only the engine receives oil, and spasmodically.

The "Callboy," it is felt, will encourage garages to equip themselves with more modern service machinery.

It is to appear on the market shortly

Mr. 6. F. Powell, an Englishman, who has been a motorist since 1907, first thought of the idea. He said:

"The idea came to me while I was writing service instructions addressed to a garage on behalf of my son.

"We have tested 'The Callboy' on the softest-sprung limousine itf existence, and the lack of jolting did not stop it working."