1959 Press Photo Speaker's Rostrum, Rube Goldberg Charles Stauffacher California

Monterey, California - Designed to get the drop on long-winded orators, shown is an ingenious rostrum that automatically limits a speaker's time at meetings. Should the speaker talk too long, the Rube Goldberg contraption brings the speech to a halt by dumping the orator into a tub of water (as shown on the blackboard). Explaining the device is Charles Stauffacher, a member of the Cabinet and Fixture Manufacturers Guild.

Photo is dated 1959.

Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches.