Some clever person has thought of a very novel advertising scheme.
It is for use at night, and consists of a sign made entirely of small
electric lights, which is sent up into the air and held there by means of
balloons.
Advertisers have used the pavements under our feet for their signs, and
have disfigured some of our grandest rocks with their Sapolios and their
St. Jacob's Oils; pretty nearly everything on the face of the earth has
been made to serve their purpose. The heavens have thus far escaped, but
this new invention brings them also into line.
[Illustration: NONPAREIL]
If it proves a success the glaring announcements of the bill-boards, which
annoy us by day, may be repeated in the sky at night; and the romantic,
peaceful heavens will be dotted all over with "H.O. is the Best;" and the
obnoxious "Yellow Kid," with a hideous electric toe, will parade among the
stars undaunted and unchecked.
This fruit-cutter seems to be a very clever invention.
As you can see from the sketch, it opens like a pair of scissors. Its
blades are very sharp, and as it cuts the fruit, the blades pierce right
through the flesh until they meet the pit in the center. The curves in the
blade catch the stone and hold it fast, while the points and heels of the
blades overlap until they have cut entirely through the flesh.
[Illustration]
This invention should save a vast amount of time, and be a boon to the
good housekeepers who put up preserves, not to mention the young folks of
the household who are called in to help.
* * * * *
This sketch shows a folding crate for transporting or housing bicycles.
It is a very ingenious affair, folding tightly up when not in use, and
taking up very little more room than an umbrella.
Opened, it looks like an ordinary crate--only made of iron instead of
wood.
It has a baseboard to which hinges are attached, and if desired it can
stand against the wall to hold the bicycle when not in use.
[Illustration]
For packing and transporting it is joined by straps, and would seem to be
a very useful invention.