Science Past from the issue of May 6, 1961

PATENTS OF THE WEEK — “Inventions for the home of tomorrow” were the theme of several inventions just patented. Two improved methods for rocking the cradle electrically have been invented. The main advantage of the “motor driven cradle” … is that it can be made inexpensively. It also has a timer and an adjustment that lets the cradle rock through a wide arc or a small one.… The latest thing for the bathroom is a bar of soap with brush bristles embedded. The scrubbing bar, invented by Guy M. Beatty of Bakersfield, Calif., and awarded patent No. 7,979,748 contains bristles that are scored at short intervals. As the soap wears down, the bristles break off bit by bit along the score marks and a scrubbing surface is maintained.