

A centrifuge creates excess gravitational force (G's) by spinning

things, and sometimes people. (It's excess G's that press you into

your roller coaster seat on those nauseating loops.) Aerospace

medicine types spent lots of time in the 1960s documenting the

unpleasant effects of excess G's. If a pilot starts spinning in a

high-altitude bailout, for instance, the outward force on his/her head

can rupture vessels in the eyes and brain and even, at spins in excess

of 175 rpm, spin the brain right off its brainstem. La, la la.

Seen here is an unusual example of excess G's being harnessed

for the good. The patent holders, George B. and Charlotte Blonsky,

contend that the centrifuge could be a boon to "more civilized

women," who, they surmise, often lack the muscle strength needed to

easily push out a baby. Centrifugal force would act as a sort of

invisible midwife, lessening the muscular force required for birthing.

Would it work, though? Could one create enough outward force on the

baby to make a difference — without simultaneously making the mother

lightheaded? I sent the patent to April Ronca, who used to research

the effects of zero G on fetal growth and birth for NASA. "That is

an interesting invention," she replied.

As with so many U.S. patents — the "Decorative Penile

Wrap" I stumbled onto while researching my previous book leaps to mind

— one longs to know the back story. Did Charlotte undergo a

difficult birth? Did the couple actually build and use the thing? Perhaps they'll read this and post a comment.

Note the elasticized "pocket-shaped newborn net" – lest the

baby shoot out and bump its head with double-G force.

Patent No. 3,216,423: Apparatus for Facilitating the Birth of a Child

by Centrifugal Force, Patented November 9, 1965