MOTOR MANNIQUINS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10304, 13 January 1927, Page 5

MOTOR MANNIQUINS

SHOPPERS AMAZED

MODELS MOVE AND SMOKE

LONDON, Dec. 25. AY omen in Brompton Road, S.W.. yesterday afternoon stopped before a shop window dressed to represent a boudoir scene and rubbed their eyes when they saw moving figures m place of the ordinary wax models. _ One of the figures was reclining in a gold-trimmed kimono beside a leatable. In her slim hand she held a lon«- cigarette-holder complete with cigarette. Idly she put the holder m her mouth and blew out a cloud of smoke. , . , „ Beside her stood the prototype of the slim young woman who with languid ease displays , the latest and most exquisite creations of the Paris dressmakers. She was wearing a turtrimmed wrap, and she turned on her heel, lifted her arms and inclined her neatly shingled head with the grace of the accomplished'mannequin. ° On the other side of the tea-table was vet another model in a georgette rest gown, slowly moving to show oft her clothes to the best advantage. It- was almost impossible to distinguish the two standing models from living mannequins. Even the eyes and hair were perfect. The tawny locks of the reclining model were not of real hair, and this was the only hint that she was not living.. The illusion of the models is made possible by an ingenious system ot electrical machinery inside their hot ies and the use of flexible skin. Power to move is supplied by electric motors. The smoke emitted from the lips of the reclining model is pioduced by chemicals inside. These mechanical models are claimed to be unique by Messrs. Harrods Ltd;., who brought them over from Paris. :