New Products & Ideas

Walkie-lookie. Chairman David Sarnoff revealed one of RCA's latest steps in television: a portable "walkie-lookie" camera, transmitter and receiver, which Sarnoff believes will be ready for use at this summer's political conventions. Using pencil-size tubes and miniature components, the 53-lb. walkie-lookie carries its own battery in a pack strapped to the operator's back, can relay images to re-transmitters as far distant as one mile.

Green Thumbs. Monsanto, which had not expected to be able to market its new soil-conditioner "Krilium" (TIME, Jan. 7, 1952) until 1953, announced that it had been able to increase production enough to offer it this year, in 5-lb. packages priced at $6.95. One box will condition 80 sq. ft. of new lawn to a depth of 3 in., keep the soil porous and crumbly for as long as three years. Another reason for Monsanto's hurry: competitors were beginning to raid its market.

Self-Service Beauty. Manhattan working girls can now freshen up at the "Pamper House," near Rockefeller Center, before going on a date. For $1 a year, 25-c- a visit and dimes in slot machines, a tired secretary can take a shower, wash and curl her hair, manicure her nails, look at television.

Dry Battery. Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. introduced a new "dry"-type storage battery which is guaranteed to last three months longer than ordinary batteries. Its acid is not added to the battery until it is sold, unlike the conventional battery, whose acid is put in at the factory, resulting in a steady discharge of cells before the customer begins to use it. Price: about $1.50 more than other batteries.

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