The Autobar—A Popular Trade Show Attraction
During his working career, Mr. Briggs was asked to design all kinds of things. One of his more enjoyable designs in the 1950’s was an automated bartender, which he called the “Automatic Highball Machine.” Visitors to his company’s trade show hospitality suite could dispense a drink from the machine, while simultaneously getting a first-hand demonstration of the clever design capabilities of the control company which made it. The following is Huntly’s explanation of how it works.
Huntly’s Differential Proportioning Control for Operating the Autobar
The Briggs “Autobar” in operation. Ice cubes are dispensed on the left, and mixed drinks on the right.
Dispensing a precise amount of liquid was achieved by electrically controlling the open (dwell) time of stainless steel, normally closed, solenoid shut-off valves. The timing, then, was proportionately controlled through two electric automatic reset timers—one for controlling the liquor circuit, and the other for controlling the soft drink circuit. When a timer was triggered by a pushbutton, it would send an electrical current to the selected solenoid valve for the amount of time that was selected in seconds; then, it would shut off and return to the time setting currently indicated. The two timers were mounted in a wooden cage facing directly opposite each other. Their respective selector knobs (for dialing the number of seconds the timer is set to activate the circuit) are connected together via a common rotatable shaft. A trim tab-like control wheel, affixed to the shaft between the two timers, protruded up through the control panel for easy hand rotation.
Through “trial and error” it was determined that it took 3-1/2 seconds to fill a standard size drinking glass containing two standard size ice cubes. Initially, the liquor timer was set at zero seconds, while the soft drink timer was set at the maximum (full glass) 3-1/2 seconds. As the selector control wheel and shaft were rotated clockwise to increase time on the liquor timer, say, to 1-3/4 seconds, the soft drink timer was—via permanent interconnection—rotated counter-clockwise down to 1-3/4 seconds. The resulting beverage mixture was ½ liquor and ½ soft drink, by what I call Differential Reciprocal Proportioning Control. By rotating the control wheel to any desired proportion setting, the total time of the two timers combined was always 3.5 seconds. If someone tried to select a liquor portion greater than 50%, a red light would flash, bells would ring, and all imbibers would laugh uproariously.
For example, with the bar graph showing 1/3 portion of liquor and 2/3 portion of soft drink (as selected via the control wheel), by pressing the Bourbon button, the bourbon valve at the mouth of the inverted bottle would be electronically opened for 1.17 seconds. Then, by pressing the Soda button, the soda valve would be opened for 2.33 seconds, totaling 3.5 seconds of combined dispensing time for both valves. How the various beverage circuits were activated separately was accomplished through sixteen circuit-isolating SPST electro-magnetic relays. The Autobar was fitted with an airfreight traveling case, and was sent to trade shows and conventions all over the country for 15 years—between 1956 and 1971.
However, the extra benefit derived was the free publicity it generated worldwide. And, yes, it was patented in my name, which I was obliged to sign over to General Controls Co. for a modest award. Luckily, I was assigned two model makers in the experimental department who executed my designs. Then, I had the cabinet built by a professional display builder. The model was borrowed from Rose Marie Reid Swimwear, Inc. She would test-swim the new swimsuit designs, and model the new styles for the apparel buyers. Of course, we intentionally chose not to have her wear one of her striking swim suits that would effectively detract from our featured performer.
—Huntly Briggs, Advertising and Sales Promotion Manager for Industrial Products, (formerly of) General Controls Co., Glendale, California.