An Automatic Tea Maker

In February 1957 Practical Mechanics Magazine featured an article on building your own teawaker which suggests using a Smiths Callboy alarm clock and a 750w Pifco kettle (model number not given but probably issued as a spare for the 1045 or 1047).

The writer, A.S.Neale, suggests mounting the teawaker onto a bedside table (as illustrated), complete with a lovely rectangle of formica upon which to stand your hot cup.

The bleary eyed mechanic has obviously been working on his construction all night and is badly in need of his cup of tea!

This issue's editorial introduces another ground-breaking invention:

"Another American company says that it will have tape-recording for television on sale to the public in 1957. This means that you will be able to purchase a spool of tape as you now buy a gramophone record and record your own television programmes."

A Bedside Teamaker

In November 1960 Practical Mechanics Magazine again featured an article on building two bedside teamakers, one primarily wooden, the other metal.

Unusually, this design uses a hotplate to heat the water in a picnic kettle.

This blueprint uses a '"Timothy Whites" picnic kettle and the suggested clock is a "Jock" alarm clock "from a well known chain store".