Leader Board Ad

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Over-tired? Under Pressure?

I'm the kind of person that will go to Dunkin D'oh!-Nuts and in response to "What would you like, or Can I help you?" I will say, "You decide." Which I am sure is the last thing a carbo-jockey wants to hear.  Sure, I could make up my mind, but usually, I can't decide and just succumb to the pressure of the line forming behind me.  I want to open up a restaurant someday where instead of a menu, the waiter decides for you. I figure after one customer has a positive experience, I'd have them for life. The same doesn't apply to urban archeology, but I have the same problem...I don't know what I am looking for, but I'll know it when I see it. Case in point:
This wasn't in its case when I saw it lying on a work bench in the basement of an estate sale in New Milford. My photography skills are better than my eyesight because at 3" I definately could not read the snap cover.
I found the gauge first and still didn't know what it was, likely the reason why I hung on to it. Like a silver bullet with a very blunt tip I had half a clue but thought I also only had half of what ever it was. Until I found the pouch and then I knew it was complete.

The Schrader Balloon Tire Gauge from around the late 20's early 30's was created when the tires changed over from solid rubber to "Balloon" style. 

If it is that old I am impressed with the condition, especially the pouch. I paid a dollar, but I've seen the value of similar ones range from $8 to $35. I even tested it out and found it to still provide an honest reading.
80+ years old and still working? No pressure there.

1 comment:

  1. Off the subject of the gauge, but on the subject of your first paragraph...There was a restaurant called Penny's Poorhouse in nearby Medina Ohio that was owned by one of the old Four Lads, a singing group that had some big hits back in the 50s. It was in a huge old dilapidating mansion that looked for all the world like a haunted house, one of the oldest dwellings in the community, and you didn't choose from a menu. You got whatever the Mrs. felt like cooking that day...one entree, one dessert. They ran it from the early 80s until it closed just two or three years ago. I don't think it ever was what you'd call 'a raging success', but it got some good reviews and it was well-known for it's uniqueness. Here's a short review from 2008.

    ReplyDelete

Found something unique? See something here you want to know more about? Start the discussion - I'll respond. Really!