EXHIBITION OF MODELS

Evening Star, Issue 19443, 29 December 1926, Page 8

EXHIBITION OF MODELS

NOVEL FEATURES At the exhibition of models in the Royal Horticultural Hall, Westminster, organised by the ‘ Model Engineer,’ a novel feature was a model cinema, seating about sixty people, whore films ol model railways, speed boats, aeroplanes, etc., were screened, a striking feature being the model speed boat Chatterbox running on a circular course on the lake at Victoria Park at a speed of nearly forty miles an hour—a world's record for motor boats. The largest piece of work was a scale model of a Southern Railway locomotive nearly 10ft long and valued at £2,000. The smallest exhibit was a group of scientific instruments, including a microscope, a theodolite, and a surveyor’s level, all ol which could be covered by a leacup. There was a complete scale model of the barque Juatbalambn, built by Mr A. fcdoplicn, the harbor master of Fraserburgh. The model took three years to build. There are over 300 spliced rope points in the rigging and more than 250 ratlines. A model of Delbnry Hall, Shropshire, made on a kitchen table, took two years’ spare time to build. A master hairdresser showed a model composite restaurant car, and there was an interesting group of model ploughs, showing the development of the plough from the days of Job, and illustrating types of ploughs used in various parts of the world. An ironmonger’s assistant entered a working scale model of the Needles lighthouse, operated by clockwork and electrically lighted. A portable model railway, made by a Wimbledon man, represented a complete railway goods terminal, with buildings, signals, locomotive, and roiling stock. A special model railway track 66ft long had been erected at the end of the hall, and was used for irequent demonstrations of the running of model locomotives by steam and olecr tricity. Many of the ingenious devices shown were thought out by women. Ideas range from a girl cyclist’s device which makes cycling uphill less .strenuous to a safety roundabout for children, the invention ol a Brighton family.. An amusing device which its feminine inventor is already manufacturing secures comfort for the sitter on a hard-seated chair. It consists of a removable lining which ran be put inside a coat and can be inflated to crowds an air cushion for Hie wearer. A' rubber ring which can bo fastened round pails and basins, en-

aiding llioni to be set down noiselessly, was another exhibit A girl from Canada exhibited a device which enables a kettle to be boiled by the heat from an electric radiator. It can also be applied to an electric fan, and the power which drives the fan can be made to servo two purposes. An improved type of scissors, a new pastry and cake sate, •and an improved floor cleaner and polisher are other feminine “brain waves.” One of the women inventors is Lady Strachie, wife of Lord Strachic, the agricultural expert. She has invented a new type of curtain hook, which, unlike so many others, does not become unbooked at the wrong moment. Another distinguished woman intends to show a new type of net for wearing round a hat as a protection from mosquitoes. The net may also be used by beekeepers. It is reported that the .invent of stainless mirrors is near at band, and that they will entirely supersede onr present-day glass mirrors. The inventors claim remarkable reflecting powers for the new mirrors, which are made of steel and arc the product of a large Sheffield firm. This follows shortly on ihc discovery of glass that will bond, so perhaps we are within sight of the end of the numerous superstitions connected with the breaking of mirrors. A more remarkable invention for which a patent was granted, hut which is nor known to have been placed on the market, was a device to supersede the razor method of removing hair from the face. The idea was that hair should be removed by grinding with an abrasive roller. It was intended that the roller should be connected to the large pulley on a sewing machine, so that the high speed necessary for grinding could be obtained. All that remained to be done ,was for the user to move the roller up ancT down his face.