Page:Popular Mechanics 1928 01.pdf/90

 



Bathers at a municipal natatorium in Davenport, Iowa, have fun on a push wheel that shoots persons seated on it into the water after it has attained sufficient velocity. Beneficial exercise is received in rotating it, and the riders have sport in trying to stay on as long as possible, although a final ducking is almost certain.

 

Humanity apparently has had a "sweet tooth" for ages, but sugar was first used as a medicine by the Arabian doctors about the seventh century A. D., according to a history of the substance prepared by the Pan-American Union. From those early times, and into the Middle Ages, sugar was confined mainly to medicinal purposes and could only be afforded by wealthy persons. Today, America yearly constimes about 118 pounds per capita.

 

Store awnings in strips that can be turned to admit more or less sunlight, as the time of day or position of the canopy require, have been introduced as an improvement over the one-piece variety. The strips are less likely to hold water when the awning is down in time of rain and are not so liable to be ignited by cigaret or cigar stubs tossed from above, as there are gaps between the bands to allow objects to drop through. The strips can be turned to shield the contents of the display window and yet not exclude so much light that the merchandise cannot be plainly seen.



