GOODS & SERVICES: New Ideas, Oct. 12, 1953

GOODS & SERVICES

Counter Coverage. Chicago's Carson, Pirie Scott & Co. became the first U.S. department store to sell all types of insurance over the counter. Shoppers can buy protection for anything from their cars to their lives, pay premiums through Carson's regular charge accounts and deferred payment plans. For 50¢ a week, a customer can insure himself (for $500) against death while traveling. Another policy will insure shoppers' purchases before they are taken out of the store.

Sister Transistor. General Electric announced a tiny electronic capacitor that is designed to work as a companion to the transistor. About as big as a kernel of corn (and about a quarter the size of the smallest capacitor G.E. has turned out so far). the new capacitor can store energy and release it later when needed. Made mostly of silver and tantalum, it filters electric current, eliminating interference and improving the tone of such devices as miniature radios and hearing aids. Price: about 55¢.

Fish in Sticks. For a quick fish fry, Birds Eye brought out fish sticks (fresh fish coated with a special batter, breaded, fried, packed and then frozen) that take only twelve to 15 minutes to cook. Price of a ten-stick package: 49¢ to 53¢.

Caddy v. Keg. Atlanta's Atlantic Steel Co.. a major U.S. producer of nails, began packing them in new fiberboard cartons instead of the familiar wooden kegs. Developed by International Paper Co., the Nail Caddy saves up to 25% in storage space, has markings top and side for easy identification, and weighs 3 lbs. to 4 lbs. less than a keg.

Thrifty Sponger. At the 1953 clinical congress of the American College of Surgeons in Chicago. General Mills demonstrated a new cellulose surgical sponge that can absorb as much as ten ordinary cotton gauze sponges. The sponges, which come in three sizes, take up only 1/20th as much room as regular sponges, can be rinsed out and used again during an operation. Price: 5¢ to 15¢ each.

Air-Conditioned Paint. A bright white paint that substantially reduces the temperature of metal and asphalt roofs in hot weather is being marketed by Coating Laboratories, Inc., of Tulsa. "Koolcote," which consists of four special pigments mixed with "activated" plastic, has kept a metal tank at a temperature of 99½° in tests during 100½° outside temperatures (v. 143° for a tank not Koolcoted). Price: about 6¢ per sq. ft. for steel surfaces, $150 for the average roof.

Wonder Weaver. A new loom that takes many of the kinks out of textile production and promises considerable savings in the industry was demonstrated by the Hunt Loom & Machine Works of Greenville, S.C. Using oil-impregnated bushings and nylon gears, the loom needs no lubrication, thus eliminates the oil and grease stains usually splattered by conventional looms, and has an overhead blower system that sucks up lint and fluff. With 55 fewer parts than an ordinary loom, it cuts the cost of replacing parts 70% (as much as $3,000 a week in a 2,000-loom mill), shaves the cost of cleaning a loom from $90 to $60 a year. Hunt already has orders for more than 900. Price: $1,500 v. $1,250 for regular looms.