Word: ratchet
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1970-1979
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
During his free time as an 18-year-old clerk in a Sears, Roebuck store in Gardner, Mass., Peter Roberts invented a quick-release ratchet wrench that enabled a mechanic to change sockets with one hand. At his boss's suggestion, Roberts offered his invention to Sears. Executives told him that his wrench probably would not sell well and that patents were pending for similar tools. But Sears eventually bought the rights to Roberts' wrench...
...with us!" Peacock screamed. Donn Mann, 48, an experienced sport fisherman, ran to the fighting chair, strapping his canvas harness to the fiber-glass rod. Some swordfish like to tease the bait. Not this one. He had hit with the wallop of a freight train. Mann released the ratchet on the reel to let the fish run. Then, without warning, the line slackened. The broadbill was streaking to the surface. He rose out of the water and fell back with a splash we could hear but not see. The glow of the Cyalume marked him 100 yds. to starboard...
Actually, Billy Carter's honorarium these days runs between $5,000 and $10,000, depending on how badly a promoter wants him to show up. For such fees, Billy has presented the Golden Ratchet Award to a winning team of auto mechanics and lent his sudsy presence to the Annual World Belly Flop and Cannonball Diving Championship in Vancouver. This week he travels to Ohio for the U.S. Peanut Olympics, which involves a shelling contest and other hilarities. A line of Billy posters, T shirts and belt buckles is going on the market. California's Revell...