Consumer Bulletin Magazine - July 1960 - Releases

Consumer Bulletin was a highly respected consumer product information magazine from the 1930's onward. It was the main competitor to Consumer Reports from the 1930's through the 1960's. [B]Articles on Products and Ratings in this issue include:[/B]

• [B]Grape-Nuts improves its product — [/B]by leaving out a few very modern ingredients
• [B]Refrigerator-freezer combinations[/B] Nine frost-free and conventional models are included in this report. Brands tested: Amana Free-O-Frost, Frigidaire, General Electric, Kelvinator Foodarama, Leonard, Norge, Philco, Sears Coldspot. [I]Both refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers have full-width freezer compartments, and on this account most people do not realize there is a vitally important difference between the two types of appliance. If you contemplate buying, be sure you have a clear idea of the difference between the refrigerator and the refrigerator-freezer, for if you buy a refrigerator when what you really need is a refrigerator-freezer, the results can be very disappointing. Some manufacturers have done little to eliminate this confusion or adopt clear standards of nomenclature. Indeed, some refer to both types of appliance as refrigerators; others designate some of their combination appliances as having “zero degree” freezers or “true freezers.” The following definitions should help to dispel some of the confusion which exists in consumers’ minds. continued...[/I]
• [B]The new Comet automobile[/B] [I]Someone has suggested that the Comet may be the car for those who cannot decide between a full-size car and the compact models, as represented by Corvair, Falcon, Valiant, Rambler American, and Studebaker Lark. Actually the interior of the Comet is larger than the Falcon only in the trunk space, for both cars have the same passenger space dimensions and the same engines. Exteriorly, however, the Comet is bigger; it has a 4½-inch longer wheelbase, is 14 inches longer overall, and is about 115 pounds heavier than the Falcon. The Comet has dual headlamps while those on the Falcon are the older style single headlamps, which in CR’s opinion are preferable. continued...[/I]
• [B]Hedge trimmers[/B] Reports and ratings of 9 popular brands of hedge trimmers and 2 hedge trimming attachments. Brands tested: Black & Decker, Craftsman, Disston Dragon, Hedgemaster, Hedgshear, Little Wonder, Skil, Sunbeam, Trimmer Boy [I]Trimming hedges and shrubbery with a pair of hand-operated hedge shears is a tiresome and time-consuming task. Electric-motor-operated trimmers make light work of the hedge-trimming chore. Even a novice, with a little practice, can turn out a well-trimmed hedge in a fraction of the time—and likewise a fraction of the muscle-weariness—required for hand trimming. There is a certain amount of hazard in using a hedge trimmer, as there is with nearly all power tools, but there is a greater hazard with hedge trimmers than some other tools, because there is no way in which the cutting blades can be guarded. continued...[/I]
• [B]Bargains from abroad[/B] It is not necessary to take a trip abroad in order to buy foreign bargains. This article tells how you can buy by mail. [I]One of the joys of taking a trip is buying unusual items, or bargains, which can be brought back and displayed as souvenirs or mementos of the happy journey. Many people are not aware that it is also possible to get items from abroad by mail order, not quite so easily as they could buy something from Sears, perhaps, but with no great difficulty either. continued...[/I]
• [B]What pool owners should know[/B] Safety rules for homeowners with back yard pools
• [B]Portable electronic flash units[/B] A report on six of the new models - Brands tested: FR-150, Futuramic Strobonar, Metz Mecablitz, Multiblitz Color SL, Strobomite, Ultrablitz Monojet [I]The development of the transistor and the new miniaturization techniques of the electronic industry have been put to good use in the design of the new portable electronic flash guns. Not too many years ago, the electronic flash or “strobe” unit was a bulky and heavy accessory and therefore unwieldy for the amateur photographer to carry and use. The “strobe” units were expensive to buy, and battery costs were high. By contrast, the six flash units discussed in the present article were all reasonably light, relatively inexpensive, and compact, and batteries were relatively low in price. continued...[/I]
• [B]The problem of fallout from nuclear tests[/B] Consumers’ Research presents the informed opinion of a distinguished physicist in the field of nuclear energy on the vital question of fallout and its dangers. [I]On the topic of nuclear fallout and its dangers, there is a welter of conflicting opinions, and it is most unfortunate that the views expressed often represent publicity-seeking attempts by zealots who have an ax to grind. When scientists seem to disagree on questions of such a fundamental nature, the lay public is not to be blamed for finding itself puzzled and confused, and ready to question, perhaps, the honesty and competence of the scientists concerned. continued...
• [B]Tight watch bands can impair function of nerves of the hand[/B] A recent item in The New England Journal of Medicine reports damage to the nerves of a part of one hand which caused numbness of the thumb and the area at its base. Increase in the area of numbness finally caused the patient to resort to medical advice. No cause for the trouble was found, and during the next two months the normal lack of sensation extended to involve the index finger. continued...[/I]
• [B]What’s in a name?[/B] The product may change and change and change again, but the old name goes on and on - [I]The makers of Cafotan tablets, one of the patent medicines mentioned in our article on “ Painkillers and ‘cold remedies’ ” in the October 1959 Bulletin, have written to Consumers’ Research to say that the Cafotan made today differs in composition from the product which we discussed. As a matter of fact, says Premo Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Inc., the maker, there have been two changes in formulation since the tablets we examined were made. Originally Cafotan contained aspirin, phenacetin, caffeine, and quinine sulfate. Although the maker claims that this formulation was discontinued well over 10 years ago, during World War II, this 4-ingredient Cafotan is the kind that Consumers’ Research obtained when we recently acquired samples of various drugs from the current stock of a busy retail drug store. During World War II, according to the maker, quinine sulfate was eliminated from the formula, leaving Cafotan for the time being as a straight “APC” tablet—aspirin, phenacetin, caffeine—not essentially different from dozens of other APC preparations. Then in 1958, Premo made yet another change, substituting sali-cylamide for aspirin. continued...[/I]
• [B]Garden hose—plastic or rubber composition?[/B] [I]Plastic garden hose is much lighter in weight and more convenient to handle than rubber hose, use of which is now limited mainly to industrial purposes. Consumers’ Research has had several different brands and types of plastic hose in use and allowed them to be exposed to the elements all the year round for some years. Our observation has been that plastic hose is on the whole very satisfactory and has great advantages, particularly for a woman, in its lightness. As there are many brands on the market that are guaranteed for periods up to 12 years, there seems to be no point in attempting to differentiate between the specific brands of makes that carry a guarantee. continued...
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• [B]Devices sold for draining flooded basements[/B] Two electric-powered pumps and a gadget which uses water power to move water[I]Want to pump water up to a height of 6 feet at the rate of 300 gallons per hour—without an electric motor or gas engine? Advertisements for the Speedy Drainer seemed to promise such results, but actual performance in tests at Consumers’ Research was much less impressive. continued...[/I]
• [B]Concluding test findings on the new outboard motors[/B]

[B]Regular Features Include:[/B]

• [B]The Consumers’ Observation Post[/B]
• [B]Editorial: Are home furnishings advertisers missing the boat?[/B] [I]Dependability in a household appliance is what women want most. At least that is the view of B. A. Chapman, executive vice president of American Motors Corp., and general manager of the Kelvinator Division. If Mr. Chapman is correct in his analysis, there are a lot of home furnishings advertisers who are throwing away large sums on full pages in what are called the “home shelter” magazines. As a matter of fact, that is just what the foremost trade paper in the field thinks is happening. Reporting an analysis of the full-page advertisements in the April issues of House & Garden, Better Homes & Gardens, and Living, Louis Goodenough noted that something like one third of the ads showed people in formal or semi-formal evening clothes, and commented that in this country we don’t dress for dinner as the British often do. “It’s about time,” he said, that we “have a return to home furnishings that do something for today’s consumer.” continued...[/I]
• [B]Brief cumulative index[/B]
• [B]Listings of Current Phonograph Records[/B]
• [B]Ratings of Current Motion Pictures[/B]