A change holder on the car dashboard. Why not a smaller version of the bus driver’s change maker to deal out coins for parking and road tolls?By Mrs.R.H.Fitzpatrick, Gary, Ind.You can purchase a change holder from Amazon here. (affiliate link)December 1960Return To Creative Ideas

Throwaway perking bags of flow-through fabric or paper. They’d hold premeasured coffee and eliminate cleaning that messy percolator basket.By H.Lemunyon, N.Industry, Ohio.December 1960You can purchase a modern-day percolator from Amazon, however, for disposable coffee pods these days you would be better with a coffee maker such as this one also on Amazon. (affiliate links)Return To […]

Zip-up ice skates with laces too – to adjust indoors. Outdoors, you’d just zip them on or off without freezing bare hands or fumbling with laces.By J.J.Drill, St. Nazianz, Wis.December 1960Can do one better these days with a modern pair of ice skating boots such as this pair on Amazon that includes a locking buckle […]

Stick on roll film you’d press onto a take-up reel instead of fussing with a slot. There’d be an adhesive on the back of the first inch.By A.R.Tanner Jr., Poughkeepsie, New York.December 1960Alternatively in modern times, simply purchase yourself a full digital SLR kit on Amazon! (affiliate link)Return To Creative Ideas

Air-breathing valves on storm doors so they’d be easier to close. The valve would automatically bleed off air caught between the inner and outer door. By M.Malmgren, Aurora, Ill. December 1960 Return To Creative Ideas

Foil pocket liners to keep coat pockets free of tobacco shreds and lint. They could be lifted out to serve as disposable ashtrays too.By C.J.Berger, Plainview, New York.December 1959Not overly convinced with this idea, but maybe that’s just me. Luckily I don’t smoke so it wouldn’t be an issue anyway.For the smokers maybe just get […]

A two setting car thermostat for quick heat in winter, normal in summer. You’d adjust a setscrew mounted in a water-tight bushing in the housing. By W.M-Handley, Mentor, Ohio. December 1959 Great idea but miles away from the dual climate control with exact temperature selection available in many modern-day cars! Return To Creative Ideas

Between stud hose reels at all outside faucets. With both outside and indoor openings, the hose could be used for garden or fire fighting. By C.J.Scott, Jersey City, N.J. December 1959 Alternatively you may just want to purchase a fire extinguisher from Amazon! (affiliate link) Return To Creative Ideas

Dual use saber saws of the hand type that come with a table for bench use. They’d have detachable mounts for round-shank files and sanding strips. By A.C.Craft, Santa Ana, California. December 1958 You can purchase a modern-day saber saw from Amazon. (affiliate link) Return To Creative Ideas

Rubber tread covers for tracked equipment. Then you could drive a rig short distances on roads instead of hauling it to conform to state laws. By B.R.Sealey Jr., Warwick, Va. December 1959 Return To Creative Ideas

Earring accomodaters for phone receivers so that women wouldn’t have to remove an earing to hear properly.A U-shaped foam-rubber pad might do the trick.By Catherine Gundling, Covina, California.December 1958I guess these days you’d just put your smartphone (such as this one on Amazon) on to speakerphone! (affiliate link)Return To Creative Ideas

A duffel-bag carrier for servicemen. Similar to the small two-wheeled carts used for golf bags, it would fold for storage inside the bag.By C.K.Adams, Manhattan, Kan.December 1958I couldn’t find a duffle bag carrier, however, you can purchase a modern duffle bag on Amazon. (affiliate link)Return To Creative Ideas

Film identification tabs you could stick to your camera as a reminder, later, of what film you had inside and its speed. The tabs could also seal the rolls.By Mrs.A.E.Opper, Brooklyn, New York.December 1958Unfortunately, no longer relevant in today’s modern, digital world of photography. You can purchase a great digital SLR with an excellent array […]

An easier oil changing system on cars. Put an electric pump on a drain line leading to an outlet on a fender and it would be easy to service your own car. By Paul LeBrun, Salem, Mass. December 1958 If you are changing the oil in your car, you will probably need some engine oil […]

Cordless Christmas tree bulbs that could be spotted at random. They’d operate off radio-frequency currents transmitted by a device like a Tesla coil.By K.L.Swinth, Seattle.December 1958Alternatively, get a chain of LED Christmas tree lights from Amazon. (affiliate link)Return To Creative Ideas

Key-keepers on electric drills. A magnetized pocket in the housing would eliminate the search for the chuck key every time you put it down. By A.R.Peery, Harlington, Tex. December 1957 You can buy a modern-day electric drill from Amazon. (affiliate link) Return To Creative Ideas

Built-in toothpaste-tube caps. Why not lengthen the neck of the tube and put the hole at the side? A few twists of a threaded collar would open the tube.By Bernard Gold, New York City.December 1957Return To Creative Ideas

A revolving electric fryer to eliminate standing by and turning food to prevent burning. It should lift off the motorized stand for washing.By Raymond A.Thomas, Burbank, California.December 1957Return To Creative Ideas

Christmas-scene stencils to make stained-glass picture windows. The black outlines of the stick-on stencil would be filled in with colored cellophane or plastic wrap. By J.Moon. New York City. December 1957 You can purchase Christmas Scene Stencils on Amazon. (affiliate link) Return To Creative Ideas

Ice melters for stuck cars. Short flexible pipes on a dual-tailpipe system would expel heat when the driver opened butterfly valves from the dash. By F.J.Morgan Jr., East Liverpool, Ohio. December 1957 I like this idea a lot. Having lived on the outskirts of Toronto, Canada for eight years, I was always trying to come […]

This idea for butter contained in a roll-on container like those used for deodorants would be ideal for those days in the back yard eating freshly grilled corn straight from the BBQ. Packed with butter, you would simply roll the butter on your cob and then enjoy it. By Mrs. David R Gurd, Girard, Ohio. […]

Eyeglasses with air pockets in extra-large, bright-colored bows would make them much easier for boatmen and water skiers to fish out if they dropped them into water. By Barry McFarren, Cromwell, Ind. August 1962 Perhaps a better idea that is available to purchase today from Amazon are floating, bright-colored straps that you can attach to […]

Curbside view on automobiles. If the lower portion of the right-front door were made of a transparent material then curbside parking would be much easier. By J.L.Schauer, Norwich, Conn. August 1962 Maybe not quite so important an idea these days with many modern vehicles having parking sensors and some can even park themselves for you! […]

Here is an idea for air-cooled welding masks with a plastic hose perforated every inch or so around the outer edge. You would hook this up to a small air compressor. By R-O.Kaley, W. Carrollton, Ohio. August 1962 You can purchase a modern welding mask from Amazon, however, I don’t think they come with air […]

Recessed toe holes built into a sport boat’s transoms would make it unnecessary to carry along boarding ladders for swimmers and water skiers. making it that much easier to climb on board.By F.C.Tingle, State College, Miss.August 1962Return To Creative Ideas

Adjustable hinges to take washers with countersunk holes drilled off-center for a screw. You’d turn the washers to adjust the door up, down, or to the side. By D.Bousha, Jackson, Mich. August 1961 You can purchase adjustable hinges on Amazon. (affiliate link) Return To Creative Ideas

Drain-off plugs on chest freezers would enable you to defrost your appliance without bailing out water by hand while standing on your head.By Margaret Hageman, Stryker, Ohio.August 1961I don’t even think modern-day chest freezers such as this one on Amazon have a drainage plug. (affiliate link)Return To Creative Ideas

Keyed electric circuits marked clearly for every outlet area in the house. So that almost anyone could tell which fuse needed replacement.By Ann Dickinson, Warner Robins, Ga.August 1961Return To Creative Ideas

Venetian blinds silvered on one side would be able to reflect the sun’s heat in the summer. They would be painted a dull black on the other side to absorb heat in the winter. By L.S.Nickel, Carlisle, Pa. August 1961 These modern-day aluminum Venetian blinds are the nearest I could find although they’re not painted […]

An automatic hammer operated by electricity and light enough for a workman to hold while nailing up siding and paneling or laying down roofing.Morris Roth, Duncan, Okla.August 1961You purchase the modern equivalent on this automatic hammer a nail gun on Amazon. (affiliate link)Return To Creative Ideas

Recessed cargo hooks in station wagons. Then you could lash down cargo to prevent it from shifting and sliding on turns or in hilly country.By D.F.Hammond, Alexandria, Va.August 1960Return To Creative Ideas

Adjustable footrests on all office desks. A swing-down bar like that on trains could have notches for the side pieces to adapt them for long or short legs.By F.A.Casey. New York City.August 1960You can purchase an adjustable footrest today on Amazon! (affiliate link)Return To Creative Ideas

A built-in bottle opener on refrigerators. Since that’s where the cold drinks are kept, why not have an opener handy, inset in the door?By MayBelle Schouz, The Dalles, Ore.August 1960You purchase a lovely beer fridge on Amazon, not sure that it includes a bottle opener though. Stick to cans or purchase bottles with twist-off lids, […]

A mower runs on bottled gas for better starting (no carburetor troubles, no carbon deposits) and once-a-season oil changing (reduced crankcase dilution).By S.Gilley, Terre Haute, Ind.August 1960These days, you’d probably be better with a rechargeable cordless lawn mower such as this one on Amazon. (affiliate link)Return To Creative Ideas

Patio furniture for smokers. Pull-out ashtrays could be inserted in the aprons of tables, and well holes could be opened in the arms of chairs.Katherine Riggan, Leola, Ark.August 1960You can purchase some pretty decent patio furniture on Amazon however if you’re a smoker you will just have to add your own ashtray! (affiliate link)Return To […]

A powdered soap dispenser you could re-use on each new carton. Like a jigger dispenser for liquor bottles, it would pour out a measured amount.Carl Hirschfeld, Los Angeles.August 1959Return To Creative Ideas

A transparent mailbox. With a clear plastic box, you could see if the mail had been delivered. The box wouldn’t rust or require painting – probably would need a regular clean though!Rick Megenity, Seattle.August 1959I found this transparent mailbox on Amazon, although at the time of writing there were no sellers available. Return To Creative Ideas

A backpack for outboard motors. Clamped to a board mounted on the pack, would make the awkward motor much easier to carry.R.M.Woodbury, Natick, Mass.August 1959Return To Creative Ideas

A toothbrush on a flexible cable that could be attached to an electric razor. It would clean your teeth with a rotary motion.W.R.Bottger, Oklahoma City.August 1959You can purchase a modern electric razor from Amazon, unfortunately they still don’t have a toothbrush attached! (affiliate link)Return To Creative Ideas

Overhead towlines for use on bridges and in tunnels. A stalled car could be hooked on to the line and pulled out of the way fast.Alexander Morris, Mahopac, New York.August 1959Return To Creative Ideas

Roofing strips of double-faced, pressure-sensitive adhesive that could be placed under gale-loosened shingles to seal and anchor them securely. John Sellmann, Bloomsburg, Pa. August 1958 Could this roofing seal sold on Amazon be the modern-day equivalent? (affiliate link) Return To Creative Ideas

A car radio volume control governed by the speedometer. You’d get volume on highways where the road and wind noise are great, but no blaring in town. B.L.Broadwell, Towson, Md. August 1958 I think a lot of cars have this built-in these days. I know my car has a setting on the onboard computer display […]

A magnetic strip on vacuum cleaners that would pick up bobby pins and needles and other small metallic objects that might damage the mechanism when sucked up. Mrs. C.B.Earp, Winston-Salem, N.C. August 1958 Return To Creative Ideas

A double-purpose tailgate on station wagons. When lowered, it could be extended and supported to serve as a table on picnics or camping trips. Robert J.Rish, Takoma Park, Md. August 1958 Return To Creative Ideas

An escape-proof landing net. Pulling a lever would draw the net’s outer, extremely flexible ring into the slotted handle to close the net on the fish. Joe Burke, Bay Port, Mich. August 1958 You can purchase landing nets very similar to this idea on Amazon. (affiliate link) Return To Creative Ideas

A padded motor-bike backrest, curved to fit the back. To provide a flat seat for a second rider, you would move it back and swing the curved side down. B.D.Galligher, Headrick, Okla. April 1963 I think I would just purchase some padded motorbike clothing such as these motorbike pants on Amazon. (affiliate link) Return To […]

Come apart BBQ grills with fewer cross-sections. The rods would lock at the ends for use but could be slipped out for easy and thorough washing J.D.West Newark, N.J. April 1963 This propane gas grill on Amazon has a grill with three different sections. (affiliate link) Return To Creative Ideas

Transparent aerosol cans for products used daily – shaving cream, toothpaste, insect sprays – so you could tell when they are about to get empty. by Mrs. R.J.Carpenter, Glenshaw, Pa. April 1963 I’m not sure about transparent aerosol cans but you can get transparent spray bottles, such as this one on Amazon. (affiliate link) Return […]

A curved push broom for sweeping large areas, as in schools or factories. Flared ends would keep sweepings from escaping and save over-lapping. Ernest Lecy, New Orleans. April 1963 I don’t think anyone has created this idea yet, you can, however, get a rather wide push broom, such as this one available on Amazon. (affiliate […]

Headlight dimmer switches on the gear shift leavers of trucks. They would make it easier to lower lights on hills and curves where there is lots of gear shifting. Clifford R Kreiling, Palmdale, California April 1963 Return To Creative Ideas

Easy to clean stoves with no top burners. Why not embed electric wiring in one of the space-vehicle ceramics that can withstand high heat? – B.G. Holmes, Garden City, New York. April 1962 You can purchase a portable easy to clean induction cooktop these days from Amazon. (affiliate link) Return To Creative Ideas

Waterproof paper boots would keep a dog from tracking muddy prints through the house on rainy/muddy days. After his walk, you would slip them off and throw them away. – Daniel Lavie, Jerusalem, Israel. April 1962 Here are some modern-day waterproof dog boots on Amazon, however they’re not made out of paper! (affiliate link) Return […]

A vise with holes in the tops of the jaws would enable pins to be inserted. Thus would aid in opening rings or spreading U-shaped pieces of metal by cranking open the vise. – Robert Tomb, Indiana, Pa April 1962 You can purchase a vise here on Amazon (affiliate link) however still no holes, it […]

This is an idea for a film-lock on a 35-mm camera. It could be set for either 20 or 36 exposure rolls. It would prevent you from unloading a 36 prematurely or tearing a 20 loose. – A.E.Ortner, New York City. April 1962 Return To Creative Ideas

This is an idea for a camping wagon where the front and back seats could be folded down. This would eliminate the need to unload the car when it comes time for sleeping. All your gear could be left in the rear of the vehicle and under the sleeping area. – Mrs. B.Clark, Sidney, Nebr. […]

Pull out nozzles on cars so you could pour gas into the tank more easily. Often a fender gets in the way of pouring from an ordinary can. – Dean E. Harding, Guilderland, New York. April 1961 Here’s a modern-day no spill gas can on Amazon (affiliate link) Return To Creative Ideas

Clamshell cases for tape recorders. With a mike fastened with a clip at the center, the open lid would become a parabolic sound reflector. – Walter Shelton, Amarillo, Texas.April 1961Return To Creative Ideas

Miniature air hammer the shape and size of a drill. It would be useful in tight or hard to get at places where a regular hammer won’t reach. – H.M.Gilbert, Kalamazoo, Mich.April 1961Air hammers such as this one on Amazon are pretty compact anyway these days! (affiliate link)Return To Creative Ideas

Safer drill press with an on-off switch actuated by the chuck key. There would be an auxiliary push-button for fast emergency stops. – PFC J.E.Kaphusman, Dundalk, Md.April 1961Modern-day drill presses such as this one on Amazon (affiliate link) have improved safety immensely since 1961Return To Creative Ideas

V-shaped expansion joints in railroad tracks would eliminate the familiar and annoying clickety-clack of trains riding the rails. – Warner Walker, Exeter, California.April 1961Return To Creative Ideas

A rain veil on umbrellas to save a lady’s hairdo. The transparent plastic could be dropped inside the umbrella before closing and furling it. – D.J.Seigel, Flushing, New York. April 1960 This umbrella on Amazon (affiliate link) was the closest I could find to a modern-day match of this idea! Return To Creative Ideas

This idea for a belt that doubles up as a tape measure would make it always handy. Most men wear a belt that is a least a yard long. Why not print measurements on the reverse side? – M.J.Pelsang, West New Yorj, N.J. April 1960 I did manage to find a tape measure belt on […]

A milk bottle lid with a short spout. When the bottle was opened, it would fit over the top in place of the paper cap to make pouring easier. – G.A.Alexander, El Cajon, California. April 1960 Return To Creative Ideas

Transparent battery caps would enable you to see whether or not a car battery needed water without removing the caps and without soiling your hands. – Kay Gordin, Derby, Kan. April 1960 No need to add water anymore! You can purchase a heavy-duty, long-lasting car battery from Amazon (affiliate link) Return To Creative Ideas

Hot water tanks you could reach into. Use a drain-off tap with a threaded end six inches in diameter. Unscrewing it would provide a clean-out opening. – Andy Vena, Philadelphia. April 1960 Technology has obviously improved somewhat since 1960! Here’s a mini water heater on Amazon (affiliate link) Return To Creative Ideas

Aluminum-ribbed boats in kit form. The metal ribs could be bolted to plywood, eliminating screws that so frequently pull out or break off. – K.N.Croshier, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. April 1959 Return To Creative Ideas

A toolbox with a sliding handle. To balance an off-center load, you could move the handle along tracks on the top and lock it in the new position. – Joe Burke, Bay Port, mich. April 1959 The modern-day equivalent would probably be something like this toolbox on Amazon (affiliate link) that simply has a handle […]

A tubular dip stick of clear plastic. You’d use it like a pipette to check the oil level: Insert it, put a thumb over the top and lift out a slug of oil for an easy reading. – A.P.Connor, Baltimore. April 1959 If you need a dip stick for your vehicle you can purchase one […]

A lawn roller with two openings. A drain on one side and an air intake on the other, both with plugs, would make emptying a roller faster and easier. – Joseph P.Izzo, Providence.April 1959Here’s a modern-day roller sold on Amazon (afilliate link)Return To Creative Ideas

A dual-purpose carport. With oversized plastic sprinkler hose on the enclosed side and along the roof, the carport could double as a home car wash. – Tom Rizzo, Brooklyn, N.Y. April 1959 Your best bet these days is probably a portable carport such as this one on Amazon and perhaps a jetwash also from Amazon […]

A transmission minder on the dash of an automatic-shift car to warn when transmission oil level is low. That fancy mechanism can cost plenty to fix. – J.M.Blasko, Savanna, Ill. April 1958 Return To Creative Ideas

A collapsible tot-toter for youngsters too big for a stroller, but small enough to weary easily on shopping tours or trips to the zoo. – D.L.Westphal, Rochelle Park, N.J. April 1958 The modern equivalent would probably be a foldable wagon such as this one sold by Amazon! (affiliate link) Return To Creative Ideas

A pot scouring attachment for an electric mixer. A disk with clamps to grip a steel-wool pad would clean even a burned pot in a hurry. – Mrs. Lawrence Frey, Brookville, Ind. April 1958 Although these days your probably best just with a decent dishwasher such as this one sold by Amazon! (affiliate link) Return […]

Food freezers with fur-coat storage space. Add a compartment at the side of an upright freezer, or a narrow drawer below a cabinet freezer. – Alden Smith, Newark, N.J. April 1958 Return To Creative Ideas

A station-wagon grille for use when the upper half of the tailgate is open. It would admit breezes yet keep youngsters or pets safely enclosed. – Mrs. L.L.Shook, Yorktown, Va. April 1958 Return To Creative Ideas

July 1963… Mirror helps level level. You could make an ordinary bubble level do a transit’s work by clipping on this recently patented side mirror. To establish a true horizontal line at a distance, you’d watch the bubble’s reflection while sighting along the top of the level, adjusting to center the bubble. With the mirror […]

November 1963… You wouldn’t have to grapple with a lunch-box meal if you carried it in this plastic box. After unhooking the domed top (with its clipped-in vacuum bottle), you’d let down the hinged sides to form a tray. Blocked-in ends would keep food from sliding and catch spills if the box were used as […]

October 1963… Suitable for one-man operation, this truck loader might simplify small-haul loading of gravel and similar cargo. The driver would maneuver his truck to push the scoop into the load, then winch the hopper-shaped scoop up and over the cab roof so it could tip its cargo into the truck. Go Back to Creative […]

October 1963… By moving the hinged side panels of this bed lamp you could direct the light to either or both sides, or shade either side so one person could read while another sleeps. With both ends inward, the lamp would provide indirect room light. Spring balls would hold the flaps in any position. Here’s […]

Here we have an early idea for a multipurpose tool – first published in April 1963. These days our local do it yourself stores are packed full of many, varied, multi-purpose tools… You could do a lot less interchanging of tools if you had this clever idea for a multi-purpose kit for a handyman job. […]

May 1963… Hitch hauls anchor from stern. You wouldn’t have to clamber forward to cast or haul this anchor. Its line would let out from the stern through a Venetian-blind type of one-way slide. A fixed-length bowline tied to the slide would hold the anchored boat in the usual way. To haul anchor, you’d pull […]

An idea from July 1963 for high visibility fertilizer and weed killer. Dying the pellets with bright colors would mean that you could see where you’d been and not overlap on a lawn. by S.Johnson(Wesleyville)

October 1963… An air traveler might avoid excess baggage charges by checking on luggage weight when he packs. He could do it easily by turning the handle of this suitcase to engage a built-in scale. Turning it back would lock out the scale, allow the handle to support the weight of the packed case. A […]

Here’s an interesting idea for an everyday item. Umbrellas have been around for thousands of years. In modern times they are usually collapsible so that they can be fit into a handbag or satchel and then brought out quickly just as a downpour begins to start.With this inventive change to an umbrella, you’d be well […]

September 1963… To simplify painting of window frames, wall moldings and other trim, this brush guard would limit the length of exposed bristles and guide them along the edge of the wood. The slip-on sleeve and sliding, thumbscrew adjusted guide would serve also to confine the bristles and keep them from spreading.

May 1963…Glasses light your work. Tiny bulbs above the lenses of these spectacles and batteries in the earpieces would put light where you want it and let you use both hands.Opaque reflectors behind the bulbs would focus the light and keep it out of your eyes. Switches in the frames would let you use either […]

by Dean Himmelreich(Milwaukee) June 1963… Garden edging blocks with long stakes precast and protruding from one side would prevent the need for having to dig a trench and would also keep them from moving or getting kicked around your garden.

This idea from April 1963 might be useful for those who like to do a portage – fold in wheels that can help you carry your boat or canoe. The lightweight wheels can be carried in a small boat or canoe, making lake to cabin hauling or lake to lake portaging much easier. This idea […]

A HEAT-DISPERSING FAN flat enough to hang between the wall and radiator where heat gets pocketed. It would operate much as a car heater does.—A. K. Baldentceck, Kirkwood, Mo.

A tripod flashlight mount, adjustable for height, that would swivel at various angles and lock. This would leave both hands free for the workman.—H. G. Frank, Teaneck, N.J.

A non-tangling cord an on an electric drill and similar shop equipment. Why can’t they be sold with the self-coiling wire now commonly used on telephones?—W. C. Fox, Nampa, Idaho.

Made short enough to fit inside a capped soda bottle, this plastic (or plastic-coated) straw would rise to sipping height when the bottle was opened. A bell-shaped float would supply lift, rising on gas bubbles. To sink the float when the bottle was being filled, the inventor suggests filling it with ice or sugar.

A scuba diver might travel under water faster and easier – and with less turbulence – on this snake-like craft. By lying on a frame and manipulating a crank, he’d undulate a rubbery sheet beneath him. The inventor claims the flexing would simulate the movements with which a fish or reptile propels itself.

June 1963… Flag signals shallow water. At low tide or in unfamiliar water, you’d navigate more confidently if you had a flag-ended feeler like this pivoted to the hull of your boat. Opposed springs normally would hold the arm upright. On contact with an obstruction, the flag would dip, alerting you to shallow waters and […]

July 1963… A false bottom makes the pool safer. An electric motor, plus a system of pulleys and guide rails, would raise this protective net from its normal position at the bottom of a pool so that, in an emergency, anyone in the pool could be immediately brought to the surface. When unattended, the pool […]

June 1963…Electric basin heats water. A sink like this at your country cabin might give you hot water convenience on a boiler-less budget.The basin would nest in a tank fitted with a coil heater. Two taps would feed a mixer faucet from a single inlet, but turning the hot tap would route the flow of […]

April 1963… A curved push-broom for sweeping large areas such as schools or factories would make the task much easier. Flared ends would keep the sweepings from escaping and save you the need of overlapping the area you’d just swept.

August 1963… This recent invention might cut waiting in a plant cafeteria, say, by letting each diner set his own place at counter or table. He’d do it by flipping over a tray to turn up a fresh setting, turning the soiled side down to be scrubbed by a rotating brush inside. Clips would hold […]

July 1963… Convex saucer keeps the cup dry. A concave seat on the bottom of this cup would rest on a matching convex portion of the saucer, thus holding the cup in place. And if any coffee slopped out of the cup, it would stay in the outer valley of the saucer, leaving the cup […]

April 1963…This idea for a come-apart barbecue grill with fewer cross pieces makes cleaning much easier.The rods would lock at the ends for use but they can also easily be disconnected for cleaning or for moving a section with tongs in order to stoke the charcoal.Although after living in Canada for 8 years, I learned […]

September 1963… Instead of squirming in and out of a taxi or other low-roofed car, invalids, oldsters (and even agile folks) could ride comfortably to or from the sidewalk on this patented slide seat. Flanged tracks under the seat and transverse rails on the car floor would let the driver move the motorized platform in […]

August 1963…Car hitch loads boat. Universal couplings on the ends of this boat-loading post would let one man lift his boat in toward the support and walk it around to the car-top cradle.Tipping the boat would drain it as he walked. To offload, he’d reverse the steps; and use the pole’s reach to set the […]

November 1963… You could enjoy more comfortable camping outside meals or quick roadside picnics if you carried a two-level folding table like this. Hooked to a car door, it would be firm and level even if the ground wasn’t. It would open and fold away quickly and take up less space than a conventional table.

This idea from April 1963 is for a cap that measures powdered coffee. No more guessing what the right amount of instant coffee should be for a standard-sized mug. With this idea, your instant coffee might be even more instant and better-tasting via perfectly measured amounts. You simply replace the jar cap of your instant […]

December 1963… Fold-out legs would convert this double-duty dispatch case into a reading stand or lectern that might be useful to a salesman, club officer, or the like. To expose the legs, you’d slide out a side panel from between grooved ends, then move the panel to the upper side to use its ledge for […]

By Ben T. Sheppard Bricks with protrusions at the sides could be used as spacers. This would make it a lot easier for the amateur bricklayer to keep each course level.

May 1963… Brake spins tail-light beam. A brake light might flash a more urgent and unmistakable warning if it were housed inside this slotted, motor-drive sleeve. Applying either the foot or hand brake would cause the sleeve to spin and thus give an apparent whirling motion to the light that is bounced rearward by a […]

August 1963…Bottle bib catches drips. Looped around the neck of a bottle, this absorbent strip would stop drips on the way down and soak them up before they could stain a tablecloth or mar a tabletop.The slightly curved strip, cut from any absorbent fabric or paper, would be slotted near one end so the other […]

April 1963… A padded motorcycle backrest, curved to fit the back. To provide a flat seat for a second rider, you’d move it back and swing the curved side down. by B.D.Galligher (Headrick)

An extra set of windshield wipers on the inside of a car. Fog, mist or condensation that forms there could easily be wiped off. This would help prevent the driver’s vision from being obscured. Wipers could either be operated manually or electronically. by C A Mallory (Conneaut, Ohio)

Edible toothpicks – spears of garlic-flavored pretzel stick of peppermint candy – for holding sandwiches together of for serving hors d’oeuvres. A.R. Dunham, Pasadena, California.

A shorten-at-will handle grip on one side of power lawn mowers so that you could get close to fences and other obstacles. It could telescope,  screw-in, or fold. W.P. Twigg, Oak Lawn, Ill.

Garden edging blocks with long stakes precast on one side. Then you wouldn’t have to dig a trench to prevent them from getting kicked around the yard. – Dean Himmelreich, Milwaukee.

Rear-window air deflectors on station wagons to keep out gales, yet allow ventilation throughout the car. The angle could be controllable by a switch on the dashboard. – John King, Ashkum, Ill.

Spray poles triggered at the bottom to operate an insecticide bomb held at the top. They would put you on target for spraying caterpillar tents or wasp nests in trees or under house eaves. – S. Smith, New Augusta, Ind.

High-visibility fertilizers and weed killers so you can see where you have been and not overlap on a lawn. Why not dye the pellets a bright color? S. Johnson, Wesleyville, Pa

A hide-away air conditioner to fit basement windows screened by shrubs. Cool air from a top vent would be ducted to a floor grille in the room above. A. A. Scott, Leonia, N.J.

Screw-in drain plugs for remote outboard tanks. Sloshing a left-over pint of gasoline out of that inch hole at the top of the can is for the birds. – H. Anderson, Cassopolis, Mich.

Children’s roller skates with a clip or other fastener underneath to hold the clamp key. Loose keys, constantly lost, are just a nuisance. – Mrs. E. Ross, San Bernardino, California.

Bumpers with built-in hitches for trailer hauling. Add-on hitches are unsightly and make it hard to get a push in an emergency. F.M. Maguire, Savannah

Designed for a small sports car bucket seat or better still to fit between the two seats, saddled over the hump. – Mrs. Carol G. Donahue, West Andover, Mass.Although doesn’t look too safe to me!

Trim that hard to cut long grass with extendable fingers at the sides of power lawnmowers. Tallgrass close to the house or garden beds would be guided into the path of the blade. – Dr. L.A. Russell, Newtonville, Mass.

Chemically treated netting, dyed green. Ideal for supporting vegetable vines. At the end of the season, it could be thrown on the compost pile to aid decomposition. G. Jorgenson, Tacoma

Is your dive too dark then you need this idea for underwater spotlights on skin-diving masks? A working light like a miner’s lamp would be out of the way where it wouldn’t impede the diver. – K.H. Schroeder, Westmont, N.J.

Let your kids have a bath in a shower with a shower bathtub – a deep, poly-plastic liner with a drain to fit inside shower stalls. Fine for bathing the kids in motels. hotels or summer cottages that don’t have bathtubs. – T.B. Ellis, Trenton, N.J.

Spring-loaded nail feeders – as each nail popped into the final position, a shaft or anvil would drop on the head. Pound it down and it would set the nail too. – J. Myers, Sylvania, Ohio

Fountain stamps with porous letters and a refillable ink reservoir. Clerks who stamp hundreds of forms daily wouldn’t waste motion swatting at a pad. – H. M. Monaghan, N.Y.

Quick-frozen lunches in disposable cartons – a boon to the sandwich detail. Pop them into the schoolbags in the morning and they’d thaw by noon. – Mrs. E. Miller, Lansing, Mich.

Light-reflecting trim on the sides of cars, designed to be part of the standard trim. Luminous plastic edging the chrome might do the job. – David F. Tufaro, Hartsdale, N.Y.

Broadcasting projectors for sound movies. Put a radio transmitter in the projector and a receiver in the speaker enclosure, and you would eliminate the need for a cable. – Charles R. DeKay, Grenada, Miss.

Finger grip holes at the center of a phonograph record. This idea would mean that when loading or unloading such discs the sound-track grooves would get less handling. – E.J.Monjack, Chicago Heights

Hunting and camping knives that carry their own whetstone in a recess in the handle. With this idea, you would never be caught in the woods with a dull blade. – W.L.Adams, East Syracuse, N.Y.

Bricks that have protrusions at the sides would mean that bricks could easily be laid with perfect spacing. This would make it much easier for amateur bricklayers to keep each course level. – Ben T. Sheppard, Columbus, Ga

Movie reels in square cans for upright storage on shelves. They wouldn’t roll, and they’d be easier to remove and replace than stacked cans. – A.R. Tanner Jr., Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

A motorized seat back in station wagons so you wouldn’t have to struggle with latches and hooks every time you wanted to make extra load space. – Phil Glotzbach, Kettering, Ohio

Jam-proof drawers in built-ins and furniture. A strip of wood across the top at the rear would keep things from spilling out over the back. By Mrs. J. Shuppert, West Acton, Mass. November 1963 Return To Creative Ideas

Bricks with one rounded face for paving walks. Smoothly curved edges ad corners wouldn’t snag a snow shovel and there would be less chipping of bricks. By Gary A. Larson, Kane, Pa. November 1963 Return To Creative Ideas

We need some device to prevent filling station attendants from whamming it down so hard that they chip the paint. By Ellis Thompson, Candler, N.C. November 1963 Return To Creative Ideas

Miniature TV tubes with a pilot at the base and at the socket would enable you to determine when to press them in safely. They’re devils when you can’t see their sockets – P. Legon, Malden, Mass And then came the transistor, and printed circuits! November 1963 Return To Creative Ideas

A no-platen typewriter for draftsmen that would roll on a drawing board. It would eliminate the printing of labels and instructions on drawings and blueprints – J.A. Defrees, Durhamville, N.Y. Perhaps not quite so useful in our modern-day world full of computers and Computer-Aided design software! November 1963 Return To Creative Ideas

Gripper snaps on the back panels of television sets and on the front panels of washing machines would save on repair time and there would be no screws to lose. Not much use for modern televisions which are currently not much thicker than the back panel itself! But us there soemthing else this idea could […]

A slide-out index behind wall telephones would enable you to quickly take note of numbers you need to remember. Often there is no flat surface near such phones and no place to note frequently used numbers.Great idea for the time but not so useful now we live in a world of electronic gadgets and smart […]

Shoelace kits with yards of lacing, metal tips, and a tip applying tool. With several kids in the family, you never have the right length of lace. – R. Klingensmith, Monroeville, P.A. Although, personally, I think the modern velcro fasteners that you find on some kids shoes these days is a much better idea!

Basin shaped floor mats for cars would hold that grit from icy roads that you track into the car, and they could be lifted out and emptied easily. Makes cleaning the car at the weekend much easier! – S. Selsky, Massapequa, N.Y.

Hand warming snow blowers would put their hollow handles to work. As the tubing for the handles ends up near the engine why not pipe hot air through it? No more cold hand while clearing the driveway or side walk! – Marks Stephens, Manchester, Conn.