Western Age (Dubbo, NSW : 1914 - 1932), Saturday 28 August 1915, page 4


WOMAN INVENTOR.

MBS. MYRA JULIET TAYLOR. VERSATILE AND IMAGINATIVE.

That trite phrase, 'A prophet hath no glory in his own land' was never so strik ingly illustrated as in tho case of Mrs. Myra Juliet Taylor. This rcmarkablo little lady might justly claim to be the most versatile woman in the Commonwealth, yet she dwells in our midst unknown, almost in obscurity. This, in a measure, is owing to the lady's shrinking from publicity, and reluctance to

speak of herself and her doings, and her pre-sent small venture into the limelight is due to her strong patriotic sentiments. Mrs. Taylor is a practical inventress; her register-ed patents are the source of her income. She is a widow with a young family to support. There are 24 inventions to her credit, but her latest achievement takes pride of place, a 'defence fence,' which is said to be invul-nerable. ' It is some two months since this invention was perfected and patented, and it is now under the consideration of the De-fence Department, which authority, after much investigation, admits it is all Mrs. Taylor claims for it — rifle, shell, and machine gun proof.

SIMPLIFIED GARMENTS. Another most remarkable invention is her 'stitchless button.' It is recognised that this will prove a universal boon when placed upon the market. No longer need the harassed housekeeper worry about the buttonless gar-ments returned from the laundry. The 'stitchless button' dispenses with the atten-tions of needle and thread, nor does it re-quire the making of a button hole. In this department might also be mentioned two other labor savers to the seamstress — the 'stitchless press stud' and the 'stitchless hook and eye.' The military authorities have also the 'stitchless button' under considera-tion for adoption on the soldier's uniforms. Yet another applianco to appeal to the needle Woman is a 'mechanical skirt and pattcrn markcr,' which will mark and measuro any pattern or size skirt from any fashion plate, and when the skirt is cut out will mark the required length, width of hom, and mark off for trimming in a few seconds. The appliance will adjust itself to any mode and any size. Something that makes a direct appeal to tho feminine world is tho 'camisolo stay ctte,' or boneless corset, a garment which is so constructed as to perfect a good figuro and improve a bad one, and insuro ease, whilst conforming to every rule of hygiene. The 'camisolo stayette' is now being manufac tured in England, and will shortly be upon tho Australian market. Closely associated with this is the medical

and surgical belt, for use after operations, which has the written approval of ten lead ing doctors. DEVICES IN THE HOME. Then there is her linoleum clip, for put ting down the floor covering without tacking. A wheat sampler and weigher, a fruit picker and packer, which was tested upon the most difficult of all fruit to handle — mul-berries, and effects its work perfectly. The

fruit is unbruised and hands need not touch it. An automatic window which opens and closes by pressure upon a button, a col lapsible rigid and folding hood, which can be made to fit any vehicle. Its ingenious utility is admirably illustrated on a baby's perambulator. It affords perfect protection from any kind of weather, and allows of freo ventilation. An automatic air purifier and cooler, which can bo adjusted to any re quirements, Its principle is a form of con densation. Tho patent attorney pronounces this a master invention, and states that hith erto there has boon no rpcord of any inven tion to mako water run up a flat surface.. Yet tho contrivance appears simple, and is unobtrusivo. It creates no wet or damp, nor any such discomfort. Its adoption will dis penso with the use of punkahs and electric fans, etc. Dwellers in tropical lands will hail it as a heaven-sont Massing. Another master conception is her advertising apparatus, which automatically throws illuminated words into Bpace. It will be just as effec tive as the present disappearing electric slims, and do away with all tho permanent

structure required for their maintenance. An attachable solo which will fit any boot or ahoe, and requires no tacking on, is an-' other of her inventions, as is also a restful railway carriage seat, which will permit of overy traveller being assured of comfort dur ing blue eyes, aud brilliant coloring, which device to America in a few months, for, as she rather pathetically complains, it is so difficult to get anything done in Australia, and we are so slow and cautious about assim ilating new ideas. Mrs. Taylor has just cause for complaint, sineo it took three years' hard work fo'r her to got her first patent made — the skirt and

pattern marker. one also says that it is even difficult to get the patent attorney to listen to some of her now ideas. One would expect to find the person responsible for all this ingenious work to be rather difficult, but Mrs. Taylor is quite the reverse when one succeeds in making her talk of herself and hor doings. Her manner is simple, kindly, and affable. In appearance she is essentially feminine, very fair, and plump, with appeal ing bluo eyes, and brilliant coloiigg, . which comes and goes as she warms to her subjeot, and a softy slow voice. STARTED INVENTING AT FIVE. Her invontive genius does not interfere with domestic duties. She is a devoted mother, and her two bonnie children are. her first care and consideration. Tho elder child, a daugh ter of seven, has inherited. her mother's gift. At the age of five, to. ensure more comfort for hor dollies, shp effected a. contrivance which a patent attorney pronounced 'an in genious invention worthy a mature brain,' Mrs. Taylor is the daughteT of a clergy man, of a very old family, whose Celtic crest dates back over -900 years. ' She is much travelled, knows Ireland and England, and has been in tnoit parts of all the Australian State*..

The romnrkablo little lady hns boon in venting sjneo sho was a tiny child. She says bIio always felt as long its sho cim re member that she eoultl sec und do things which other people eould not. Hor first in vention happened ut the ngo of 10, whon she mado a self-fastening safety pin, and an-, nouneed to hor mystified mother, 'I can do something that you can't.' Neither Mrs. Taylor nor her people under stood her marvellous gift, mul it luy dormant for years. Practically six years of hor short mnrried life were spent in constantly nursing nn invalid liUBband. THINGS DREAMS ARE MADE OF. No less astounding than her achievements is Mrs. Taylor's methods of working. An idea comes to her from observation, or hint from a second person. She keeps thinking of it incessantly, and one night the solution comes to her in her sleep. Still sleeping she gels up and works it out on anything handy, oftentimes the wall. The workings are all backwards, but perfectly intelligible to the inventress. Mrs. Taylor makes her own models, nud perfects her drawings before submitting thein to the patent attorney. At present the little lady has only one Am

bition in life — the adoption of her defence fence. She hns absolute faith in its cflicacv. A glance at her small model — mndc entirely by herself, and a most formiiluMc-Innkili^ picco of work for one frail woman to necom plish — justifies tlint faith. Her anxiety is not born of nnv thought ot the monetary re ward — her thoughts nre only of nil tho brave, precious lives she may bo the means of pre serving. Shields of a kind nre now being used by both the English nnd the Gcrmnn armies, ns seen in recent illustrated war nows. They nre crude nnil primitive alongside this woman's achievement, anil can only claim resemblance inasmuch ns both arc visible. — 'Sun,' Sydney.