GOODS & SERVICES: New Ideas, Nov. 29, 1954

GOODS & SERVICES

Musical Wheaties. As a new promotional gimmick for Wheaties, General Mills has bought 12 million plastic phonograph records (sample ditties: Dixie, Three Little Fishes) from Rainbo Record Corp., Los Angeles. The records are a cut-out part of the Wheaties box, can be played on any 78 r.p.m. phonograph.

Distant Talker. American Telephone & Telegraph has started installing a "distant talking" telephone that picks up conversations within a radius of 5 ft. from the phone, thus permitting several persons to take part in a telephone conference. The set, which includes a microphone and loudspeaker, looks like a conventional phone, can be used by switching on a volume control switch. Price: $6 a month more than standard phones.

3-D Camera. Sears, Roebuck & Co. has brought out a 3-D box camera, for $17.50, considerably cheaper than other 3-D cameras. The outfit includes mounting cards and stereo viewer. The unit is actually two cameras fastened together, and each can also be used separately.

Self-Sealing Sugar Bag. To keep brown sugar from drying out and hardening, Godchaux Sugars Inc., New Orleans, has developed a new wax-and-paper lining which acts as a self-sealing package. An inner layer of flexible wax plugs any cracks in the liner, seals in the moisture. Price: 2 Ibs., 25¢.

Stair Climber. A two-wheeled, power-driven hand truck has been developed by the Valley Craft Products Inc., Lake City, Minn. to take heavy loads up or down stairs or ramps. A special ratchet mechanism allows the "Stair Cart" to climb stairs, is powerful enough to lift a 200-lb. load straight up a 4-ft. wall. Price: about $100.

Burner Control. The Florence Stove Co., Chicago, Ill., has incorporated in its new models the first thermostat control for a top-of-the-stove burner. A thermostat automatically controls the gas flame, gives a constant temperature (200° to 400°) to cooking dishes. Price: from $269.95 to $379.95.