NEW INVENTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20323, 2 August 1929, Page 9

NEW INVENTIONS.

ACTIVITIES OF THE YEAR.

While thers ar6 no striking developments to record during the yoar, ths Comptroller-General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks reports that tbo increased activity in invention which has boon manifested during the past few years, was still more marked in 1928. the ] number of applications received was the I largest, for any year, as was the number 1 0 f complete specifications filed namely, i 24,045 At tiio beginning of the cxi nansion the greatest increase was shown in the chemical and electrical mdustlies, ; hut the activity is now widely distnbuted over the wholo field of invention. Jta 'the chemical and allied industries^ steady development continues in catalytic processes and high-pressure catalytic apparatus. The use of aromatic acids and salts as cleansers and wetting agents is on the increase. Much attention is being devoted to low-tempcrature carbonisation processes and to the production and treatment of oils. Automatic telephones, copying or picture telegraphs, and television apparatus show marked iifcreases in the number of applications, and are responsible for increases in inventions connec'-'d with the speed governing and synchronising of electric motors. Applications relating to electric heating are growing in number, especially in respect of induction furnaces and npppitiMis for domestic purposes. In mechanical engineering much interest is manifested in improving the propulsion of air and sea craft. Research carried out primarily in connection with aeronautics has led to development in marine propulsion, as in the basing °f paddle-wheel construction on aerofoil data.