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Mirrors Check on Callers Business/Finance That historic curiosity, the "Busybody", is making a comeback in Camden. At Erick Industries, the specialty sheet metal shop owned by his family, Roger Garrett is turning out busybodies at a great rate as a product keyed to the bicentennial celebration. And, he reports, they've met with a favorable reception. "In fact", says Garrett, "one of our customers says his busybody paid for itself the first night it was installed". Instead of answering the door when his doorbell rang, the customer decided to use his new busybody to see who was there. He discovered the callers were people he didn't know, carrying guns. About two minutes later, police had rounded them up, in answer to the householder's phone call. A BUSYBODY in essence consists of three folding mirrors, usually placed in a second or third floor window overlooking the street. By shifting the mirrors it's possible to see who's at the door or coming down the street in either direction, without being visible from outside. According to Garrett, who's made an extensive study of the busybody and its origins, the device was one of the useful inventions of Benjamin Franklin, along with bifocal spectacles and the long-handled gripper used by grocers to reach a cereal box on the top shelf. Garrett started by examining existing busybodies in the Olde City section of Philadelphia, and by looking in libraries and historical societies. Garrett noted that most of the reproductions were in rickety condition, often needing a reinforcing band to prevent the busybody from falling apart. Garrett redesigned the busybody, while maintaining the historic three mirrors and the scrolling fame. He used a heavier sturdier metal frame for the modern busybody he had in mind. "We've already had commendations from a women's rights group", says Garrett. "The busybody is great for women living alone because it lets them see who's outside while nobody outside can see in". |