Petrified pretzels, with snack handles? Not quite. The old mechanic’s apprentice sky hook spoof come to life? Possibly ... but this chain link fence wannabee seems to take on a life of its own by showing up in “question mark” form – the perfect challenge for GUESS WHAT candidacy!

Twist them, contort them, shape them, extend them – it’s your choice, if it’ll help you come up with the answer from among the following:

1) Invalid’s hospital bed self-help arm lift and exerciser;
2) Window fire escape ladder;
3) Power  boat water ski tow chain;
4) Window washers scaffold safety support;
5) Interior tent pole towel bar;
6) Falling-through-the ice rescue chain;
7) Early ski lift T-bar pull;
8) Sewer worker’s manhole tool and bucket retriever;
9) Vintage gymnasts trapeze training rings;
10) Farmer’s anti-suffocation hayloft collapse escapement device;
11) Lion tamer’s snarling cat cage rescue standby.

We forgot to mention the dimensions: full length is 59 inches, with the wood handles – seven inches each. Hope this helps. The correct answer (among the above) to be confirmed next month. Till then!*

*Thanx to dynamic Zan Fleet of Squash-a-Penny Junction Antiques, Doswell, VA.

February 2005
 Guess What?

Click for Large Views

Answer to February 2005 'Guess What?'

Never before have we had an answer needing three hands! This is a first. Last month we showed a soft boiled egg opener patented by Hiram Everest of Riverside, CA on May 19, 1896. The gadget was slipped over the egg while a knife was slid between the double layered open ring end, cutting off the top for easy access eating.

The third hand? ... to keep the egg cup upright.*

 *Hand modeling and manicure courtesy of Chuck and Bonnie Badger, Lakeview Terrace, CA – from their collection.