The History of the Shopping Cart

' 'The shopping cart was conceived in 1937 by Sylvan Goldman, one of the original self service grocery retailers who, in observing the shopping habits of his customers, realized he could provide better service and sell more groceries if only he had some means of helping them carry more merchandise. From this simple observation the shopping cart was born, along with the tremendous growth in self-service mass market retailing that continues today. The first prototype was constructed from a folding chair. It utilized two wire hand baskets to carry merchandise.  When not in use the carriers were folded and stored against the wall while the hand baskets were stacked to conserve space. Sylvan Goldman founded a company to manufacture his new idea and called it Folding Carrier Basket Company after the design of the first cart. As with most new concepts, the shopping cart was not immediately embraced by the public.  Early on, some retailers even resorted to hiring models to shop with grocery carts as to "model" the behavior desired for customers. Early versions of the cart were quickly refined to better meet the needs of retailers and shoppers.  The basket portion became permanently attached.  At this point the cart was constructed from strap metal and generally painted green.  With the baskets attached it was important to develop nesting carts to save valuable floor space.  The basket soon became made of welded wire mesh and the frame made from tubular steel. In 1947, designers grew more aware of the children who rode the carts while mother selected merchandise from the store shelves.  They designed a child seat for youngsters to sit safely out of the way as purchases were piled high into the shopping cart basket.  In 1952,  a plastic piece of plastic to close off the tiny leg holes was developed for the childless shopper who used that section of the cart for purchases.  By 1956, the leg hole cover had become automatic on the Folding Carrier Corporation carts.  It would now return to the closed position automatically when nested, allowing the use of the child seat section to be used for small items without fear of merchandise falling through the leg holes and on to the floor. 1954 brought the availability of color coordinated cart handles with personalized store names making carts easier to identify in the parking lot and reminding shoppers which chain they were shopping at as they wheeled down the aisles. The first use of sealed wheel bearing came in 1955 which eliminated the need for lubrication and ensured smooth functioning throughout the life of the cart.  In 1959 the first unitized frame was patented.  In 1960, the first non-marking rubber wheels were used.  Sealed swivel casters were first used in 1961 solving the same problem for caster as it did for wheels a few years earlier.  In 1962, a modified acrylic coating was used over the chrome finish to insulate the chrome from harsh environmental elements thereby extending the life of the cart. The shopping cart has undergone many more changes as time has progressed.  The shape has changed as ergonomic considerations were taken into account.  For the most part, carts are bigger to hold more merchandise, thus enabling more sales.  Today, retailers also have more choices.  For instance, now shopping carts are available with wire or plastic baskets.  Some changes have come because of changing trends in the retail industry.  With the rising value of retail floor space, carts are stored outside in the elements more frequently.  This has driven the search for better plating and alternate finishes. The retailer can choose between nickel chrome, zinc, or a  rust resistant powder coated finish.'

World's Oldest Light Bulb Still Shines

If Adolphe Chailet had his way some 110 years ago, buying light bulbs would be a rarity.  This competitor of Thomas Edison is the engineering mind behind the world’s oldest light bulb, a 109-year-old light at Fire Station 6 in Livermore, California.  Not only has Chailet’s design survived several moves and a multitude of earthquakes, it’s also survived going up in voltage from 110 to 120 volts.  It’s indestructible!

Even when it was built back in 1900, the Shelby-style light bulb was remarkable.  During a series of challenges, Chailet’s bulb proved to have the strongest filament, surviving increasing voltage levels while competitor bulbs burned out.  The so-called Centennial Light just kept getting brighter.  The light stays on all day, and has only been off for a grand total of one week, during station renovations in 1937.  It’s not very creatively made or exceptionally bright these days, but it’s definitely stood the test of time.

When they say that things were better made in the old days, they’re not taking into account this light.  Even in the old days, they didn’t make a bulb this good!  Chailet didn’t build his inventions to fail.

1920 Kissel Motorcar

HISTORY: The Kissel Motor Car Company of Hartford, Wisconsin was founded in 1905 and by 1920 had established a reputation for making very high quality cars. To quote Kissel’s advertising from 1920: “The Kissel designing and construction policy interprets custom built as a fact – not a theory; a practice – not a phrase. In every detail of equipment – under-the-surface, as well as on-the-surface – the most care is taken, not only to make each car complete, but of the custom-built quality and exclusiveness demanded by, and expected of, Kissel Tradition.” The most famous Kissel model was the “Gold Bug Speedster”, a very sporty two seater in the tradition of the Stutz Bearcat and Mercer Raceabout. Gold Bugs were famously owned by such personalities as Clara Bow, Fatty Arbuckle, and Amelia Earheart. This Center Door Tourster is built on the same Model 45 chassis as the Gold Bug Speedster, but is much rarer today, with only a small handful of survivors known. The unique body style is similar to a cloverleaf or “chummy” roadster, but is characterized by extremely long doors that allow access to front or back seats with the front bucket seats sliding fore and aft on metal rails. Adding to the uniqueness is the fact that the passenger side door is hinged at the front, and the drivers’ side at the rear! The elegant close coupled body design is one favored by astute collectors as it retains the sporty flair of the two seat speedsters but allows comfortable touring for four.
THIS CAR: This particular car was for many years part of the famous S. Ray Miller collection in Elkhart, Indiana, with records indicating Mr. Miller acquired it from one Ronald Knepper. After the Miller collection was sold in 2004 this Kissel received an extensive high quality restoration including new paint, plating, top, carpet, and beautiful leather upholstery, and is now ready for shows or touring as the new owner may wish.
CONDITION: The car is in extremely fine condition with stunning yellow paint, gleaming bightwork, excellent black canvas top, and rich leather upholstery. Mechanically the car is excellent - the powerful 61hp 284 cubic inch six cylinder engine always starts right up and the car runs and drives beautifully. All lights (check out the unusual bullet headlights, a Kissel trademark) and gauges are in excellent working condition. Overall the car is breathtaking to look at and a pleasure to drive.

1928 Model 48 Radio by Atwater-Kent

Rare model 48 Atwater Kent with speaker (11" cone) Untested and missing tubes yet a great frame that should make the restorer a great buy ! - Model 48 is smaller than the full sized versions and measures about 18" This model radio was manufactured in 1928 was battery powered & is here shown with the Model E-3 speaker.

Alpha Rev "Phoenix Burn"

1935 Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe by Jonckheeres

There are few cars that are as dramatic as the Jonckheere Coupe. Its imposing length, menacing curves and oversize grill make most other pre-war cars look boring. And it certainly makes most other Rolls-Royces look staid by comparison. Furthermore, the benchmarks of size, stature, cost and risk will probably never be reached again. If we had to pick the most memorable Rolls-Royce, this would have to be it.

1913 Maxwell Model 40 Five Passenger Touring Car

Conglomerates have been with us since the earliest days of automobiling, and this lovely Maxwell serves as a reminder of one of the earliest, U.S. Motors. Jonathan Maxwell started building the cars named after him in 1904 and quickly set a standard in the industry.
In partnership with Benjamin Briscoe, the Maxwell-Briscoe both of New York became one of the members of the mighty U.S. Motors group, which also included Columbia electric cars, Stoddard-Dayton and Courier cars, Sampson trucks and the little singe-cylinder Brush runabout auto. The huge corporation came apart in 1913 and Maxwell, now without its originators, was able to reorganize and continue in production.
The Maxwell, by the way, is still with us; it became the Chrysler Corporation and early Chryslers were strongly based on the old Maxwell design.
This Maxwell is a older restoration that has been well maintained and a car to be proud of. The car has been a excellent vehicle to tour with. It runs and drives well. With its 36X4 tires and 40HP motor it runs and drives with the best of them. With the car standing just over 7-feet tall it is very impressive.

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