C.O.C.A. Times

THREE MILLS LUNG TESTERS:
The Hat Blower, The Balloon, and The Lion Head
By Ken Rubin
E-Mail Address: dropcoinhere@aol.com
Coin-op amusement design reached its pinnacle in each
of these three Mills Novelty Co. Lung Tester Machines
during the heyday of the Penny Arcade era, ca. 1907.
Incorporating figural forms, impressive size, popular
cultural and news themes, and artistic flair in the medi-
um of papier-mache, these machines possessed the
essence of coin-op appeal and were truly the attention
grabbing and moneymaking successes as Mills had
advertised. Penny Arcade Lung Tester machines devel-
oped from the original 1890's medical lung capacity
measuring devices called spiro meters that are still used
today. Testing lungpower was one of over two dozen
different methods that manufacturers devised to "test
your strength" to encourage competition and repetitive
play.
The Balloon Lung Tester was themed after the tum-of-
the-century popularity of ballooning which was "taking
off' in many locales around the country and exciting the
public with the notion of "flying". The "aviator" on top
bids a welcome to all and holds a smaller version of the
mouthpiece and tube in his right hand. The entire case
design is a marvelous cartoon-like theme of a balloon
with a threesome in a real wicker basket. In the upper
section is another miniature balloon also with a peopled
basket that rises within a scene of a crowded plaza. It is
a cartoon inside a cartoon topped by a cartoon. In oper-
ation, a blow from the lungs lifts the miniature balloon
and lights up The Man In The Moon and The Stars In
The Sky while also ringing an electric bell. Today's
owners of the machines have also added crowd and
musical sound effects to further enhance the enjoyment.
at 250 on the ascending center indicator. This is also a
rare money-back arcade machine by automatically
returning the penny if the top hat is blown off and the
indicator reaches 400.
"A beautifully modeled head of a life-sized African
Lion," boasts Mills in its catalog. It is made of papier-
mache and adorns the top of the machine. The objective
of The Lion Head Lung Tester is to make the lion roar
for as long as possible. It is different from the other two
machines in this regard because it requires a steady, vig-
orous blowing rather than one hard powerful blow. The
clock ticks off the seconds as the patron measures the
length of time he can bring the lion roaring to life. The
Lion employs an ingenious mechanism to make the
roaring sound by means of a rosin-coated metal rod that
moves up and down through a hole in a tambourine.
The Lion's eyes and the two bulbs below him light up
with the blow.
Additional Lung Tester machines in the Mills arcade
line included the Weight Blower and the High Ball. A
Combination Grip and Lung Tester countertop
machine on a metal stand was also offered. One of each
of these pieces survive today but not so the Skyscraper,
the Rubberneck (white man version), and the remark-
able Mills Submarine Lung Tester that still tops every
collector's wish list. The magnificently decorated,
aquatic themed Submarine consisted of a large glass
water tank with five deep-sea divers inside. A forceful
blow would raise them one at a time up to the surface.
And while on the subject of lung testers, homage should
All gentlemen wore hats back then and a gentleman also be paid to the Caille Bros. Co. (pronounced Cail)
would always tip his hat to the ladies. The Hat Blower that produced classic and highly desirable lung tester
asks the arcade question "Who Blows Best" and amus- machines such as the Rubberneck (black man version),
es the crowd when a forceful blow "tips the hats" off the Hygienic and combination strength and blow
the eight comical gents' heads with hat bands inscribed machines such as the Mascot, Tower Mascot, and
with names such as Mr. Howe E. Blewit, Mr. George Eureka. Examples of all but the Hygienic have sur-
Gentle Breeze, and Mr. August A. Wind. Grandfather vived. Also popular was a stripped down counter-top
Wind smiles on all who blow by. An electric bell rings version of the Hygienic called the Little Marvel or the
continued .. .