The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-06
BUSY BRAINS
OF INVENTORS

Dentists will appreciate a Missourian's
invention, which will enable them 10 see
their work more clearly, consisting OF a
rubber dam for use in the mouth. COW
cred on one side with "A light-reiiecung
coating OF aluminium bronze.
Petroleum cannot be exploded in new
can. invented by a Belgian tho nozzle
being intcrsected near its base by a nat
strip OF tin. having narrow slit when
will prevent the passage Of hame. but
which allows the oil 10 How freely.
In an improved electric hair-brush the
battery and induction coil are mounted
on the back OF the brush, aud a number
of contact plates are attached by wires
to form "a circuit through the body, the
current flowing through the metallic
bristles into the head and thence 10 the
plates.
A mechanical motor for Use In driving
small boats has been designed. having a
propeller shaft set in bearings in ne
bottom OF the boat. with pair or oscli-
lating rods pivOted on a standard with o.
hevel gear arranged az me bottom 70
drive the shaft pedals being provided
for one or two persons
A northumberland device for spinning
n ton consists of wire doubled anI
twisted spiraliy, with button az inc
top. by which it is suspended, a slotted
handle being forced down over the spira
10 impart n turning motion 10 the roo
which fits az the lower end into slot Do
the head Of the top.
Two Californians have designed an adj
Unstable hanger for electric 81 nus. con
prising "a reel suspended in bracket. so
be attached to the ceiling. win a spring
mechanism on the reel which winds up
the wire BY which the lamp Is suspended.
A Massachusetts man has patented an
anti-fOuiing coating FOR SHIPS. consisting
OF layer Of paint laNer ol coP.Wln.lI
Ell soft metal. second layer OF paint
and an outer coat of comminuted copper
presenflng "a smooth surface closely stud
dod with bare particles ol copper.
Penholders can be held I'm position for
writing without gripping tncm Win inc
fingers by the use Of am Illinois man 5
attachment, consisting OF piece oil lhln
metal bent 70 lit the portion Of me mana
between the ball OF the thumb ana me
base of the first finger.
Train orders cam be- delivered 20 the
engineer while tne train is under niLn
speed by the use of new order-hQl gun
clamn ON one side 90 grip the message "a
socket being provided 20 hold Tue LOOP ln
position 10 be easily detached py the eN-
ginccr-
A Washington man has Designed "a
combination cane and umbrella ~hlcI
comprises "A hollow tube with Internal
screw threads at each end with ths CEN
trial rod OF the umbrella carrying y
threaded sleeves which can be htied III
the ends Of the tube 10 hold the latter
over the umbrella
Playing cards can be rapidly and, even
" shufned by a Boston man device;
which is formed Of a circular boz. iltted
with a central stem. on which II reVolNes,
with a detent arranged in the TOP or we
box 10 internationally hold back poruoh
Of the cards as th'y rcvOlye
Street car conductors VIII appreciate
a new fare register designed for their
use. and the cost 10 the company IS les
sened by its use. the new apparatus BE-
ing held in the hand with a sliding yoke
10 be grpped by the thumb and depress =
ed registering the fare on dial aad
ringing a bell.