IDEAS WANTED

Evening Star, Issue 20254, 15 August 1929, Page 12

IDEAS WANTED

SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR INVENTORS “ British inventors are still going strong,” says Captain Drury Coleman, of the Institute of Patentees, London. There has been no break in the steady stream of new ideas, many of which arc being taken up. “There is plenty of scope for inventors to-day,’ Captain Coleman told an English daily. “ Periodically we issue a booklet, ‘ What’s Wanted,’ setting out a, list of possible inventions and offering a prize. Among the articles mentioned in the latest list arc:— Silent vacuum cleaner. Simple non-leaking tap. Simple device to prevent glass stoppers coming out of bottles when travelling. Something to prevent the stale smell of cigars and tobacco permeating rooms in winter, when windows cannot be constantly opened. Apparatus for washing Crockery in small households. Reinforced handle for china ware. Lining clip to prevent loss of coins from pockets when stooping. Ornamental fire-screen convertible for use as a clothes-horse. Teat for baby’s bottle to regulate uniform flow of milk without clogging. Improved method for cleaning windows. Bathroom bolt which can be released in emergency by pressing a button at the bath, and which would ring an emergency bell. Hard-steel, chisel-ended tool for cleaning burnt saucepans quickly. ‘ Reflecting device to indicate to conductors when passengers are running to catch trams or buses. Device to prevent pedestrians being splashed with mud from passing motors. Collapsible umbrella for pocket or handbag. Device to lock the last stitch on a sewing machine. Handpowered boot-cleaning machine for private households. Safety wedge to fasten door when lock or bolt is defective. Should be small to carry in handbag when travelling- . ' Automatic device for turning over pages of music by pressure of foot on button or lever.

Last but not least among the thousand odd wants is a device to help bachelors to darn their socks, and'an onion peeler that will prevent tears. “Every citizen is a* potential inventor,” said the secretary. “ Many waste time in inventions already patented. If they would peruse the lists pu’ Mshed periodically by the institution Much time and money would be saved. There are people who devote all their time to developing inventions. One man who comes here occasionally is making £5,000 per annum out of his royalties on simple .devices.”-