New Ideas

GOODS & SERVICES

Number, Please. A new telephone with a dial that lights up when the handset is lifted was announced by American Telephone & Telegraph Co. Estimated cost to a user: 25-c- extra per month.

Stargazing. A Junior Planetarium that projects 40 major constellations and 300 stars on the ceiling and walls of a darkened room is being sold by Harmonic Reed Corp. of Rosemont, Pa. The midget planetarium can be adjusted to different latitudes and dates, can simulate the nightly sweep of the stars. Price: $14.95.

Portable Power. International Harvester and General Electric teamed up to bring out a portable electric generator that can be installed on a tractor or truck to operate off the engine. "Electrall" will furnish electricity for power tools, insect sprays, paint guns, hay balers, pumps, emergency light and heat.

Stop & Go. A radar system to control stoplights and avoid traffic tie-ups was tested in Norwalk, Conn, by New Haven's

Eastern Industries. Microwave beams count traffic coming in from all directions and transmit the total to a central brain at the intersection, which automatically switches lights to speed up the heaviest flow. Price: about $1,000 per intersection, plus installation.

Automatic Detective. An ultrasonic inspector of metal parts that follows instructions recorded on magnetic tape was put into operation by Sperry Products at General Motors Allison Division. Like a doctor with a stethoscope, "Simac" looks for defects in rotor forgings by automatically moving to specified checkpoints and "listening" to the metal. Price: $300,000.

Automatic Life Guard. A swimming pool alarm that rings a loud bell when somebody accidentally falls in was put on sale by Los Angeles' Modern Design Engineers. A sensitive float connected to an electric box at poolside is upset by any unusual motion of the water, thereby sets off the bell, which keeps ringing until help comes. Price: $125.

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