1910 Atwater-Kent Unisparker

1909 Atwater-Kent Unisparker

Before he was a successful radio manufacturer, Atwater Kent produced automotive

ignition coils. In fact, he had the patent on the coil ignition system in an era where

magnetos were the norm. Henry Ford refused to pay the royalties that

Kent demanded for use of his system which resulted in the Ford Model T having

a much more complicated "shower of sparks" vibrator/coil ignition. The second

Unisparker above had a simple small key to lock it and this is regarded as the

first car key. The hard rubber key handle has a faint "A-K" mark. Both of these still

work, producing hot, blue sparks.

A quack medical device The McIntosh Faradic Battery

This device is one of several types that applied pulsed high voltage to different parts of the body

using a variety of electrodes; among the ills it claims to cure is constipation...

This fancier 'no name' version employs a motor like

spark wheel, polarity reversal switches and a rheostat to fine tune the applied stimulus.

Included in the attachments is an electric hair brush - a sure cure for pattern baldness.

A Philco Intercom "Come in here Miss Brooks!"