Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 88.djvu/723

 Popular Science Monthly

��695

��Serving Food on the Run

THE war has done many unexpected things in this country. It has touched the every-day facts of life in a degree unimagined prior to August i, 1 9 14. It has even affected the manner in which food is served. Since the war began, the Remington Arms and Ammu- nition Company has erected a plant at Bridgeport, Conn., which is more than a third of a mile long. This plant, with a capacity for eighteen thousand men, is working throughout the twenty-four hours in eight-hour shifts. As soon as a man leaves his machine, another takes his place. Men working for only eight hours a day, do not require, and, if they are working on piece, do not desire, a full hour for meals. A half-hour is long

enough for most of them. . » f But a man cannot devote

much time to eating if he

��must walk a third of a mile in search of food and then return to his place. So a "cafemobile" has been invented to meet his requirements. This, in fact, is a lunch counter on wheels. It is supplied with metal compartments fordifferent kinds of food which should be warm when served, as well as for fruit, sandwiches, pies, etc. At different points throughout the factory provision has been made for attaching it to an electric circuit. By this means the soups, hash, potatoes, coffee, and meat can be heated readily. Just before the lunch hour the squad- ron of "cafemobiles" sets out from the restaurant, each loaded with a supply of food. These are pushed by men in white caps, blouses and aprons. Each is trundled to a different place in the factory, previously assigned, and takes up a position near the electric connection. The folding counter is turned back and the oranges, apples, pies, sandwiches and milk set out in tempting array.

���In turning out high-priced munitions every minute is precious for the men in the factories.

So, a Bridgeport firm uses the "cafemobile" — a lunch-counter on wheels which saves

the machinist on piece-work the time required to walk a third of a mile from his lathe to

his food. By means of electric connections, foods are served hot

�� �