New Ideas

GOODS & SERVICES

Comeback for Tubes. To meet the growing competition of transistors, RCA demonstrated a vacuum tube only one fifteenth as large as general-purpose miniature tubes in mass production. RCA said the thimble-sized "Nuvistor" tube outperforms regular tubes and transistors in higher frequencies and at higher operating temperatures. When commercial production begins next year, prices will be "competitive" with regular tubes and transistors.

Colored Wigs. Wackiest novelty since Hula Hoops is a gamin-style wig of acetate yarn that comes in 17 shades, including blue, green, bright red, and purple. Manufactured by David & David of Brooklyn, now selling 4,000 a day, the wig can be styled further by the owner. Price: $6.95.

Natural Synthetic Rubber. U.S. Rubber Co. and Shell Chemical Corp. jointly began commercial production of polyisoprene, a man-made rubber duplicating tree-grown rubber. Intended for duty in large-size tires where ordinary synthetic rubber breaks down, the new rubber also will be used in white sidewall tires, crepe-rubber shoe soles and surgical gloves.

Paper Tent. Paper camping equipment, which campers can use for a season or two and then discard, was put on the market by Corporate Research, Inc. of Ann Arbor. Ford Motor Co. dealers will promote the disposable camping equipment with their sales of station wagons, figure that many a family can be tempted to undertake camping for a low-enough investment. Price for four sleeping bags and a tent to sleep two adults, two children: $60.

Vinyl Steel. U.S. Steel announced a vinyl-coated sheet steel intended to compete with stainless steel, anodized aluminum, porcelain-enameled steel, etc. in many furniture, appliance and automobile interior uses. The scratch-and stain-resistant vinyl coating withstands up to 30% stretching without separating, makes possible many new shaping operations. Price (on 24-gauge steel): 24-c- per sq. ft.

Pocket Alarm. A tiny plastic timer attached to a key chain, which can be set to go off in any interval from five minutes to an hour, was put on sale by Jana Enterprises of Ridgewood, NJ. Price: $4.

Smog-Reducing Gasoline. Tidewater Oil Co. put on sale in Los Angeles a new-formula gasoline which, it says, cuts the amount of smog-forming hydrocarbons released into the air from motor exhausts on new cars, gas pumps, etc. Price: same as other higher-grade gasolines.

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