overall: 12 in x 9 in x 5 1/4 in; 30.48 cm x 22.86 cm x 13.335 cm
Object Name:
weight loss device
relaxacizor
Date made:
ca 1960s
Description:
Burton Skiles, of California, applied for a trademark on the term Relaxacizor in 1946, explaining that it referred to “ELECTRICAL DEVICES USED IN MUSCLE EXERCISING BY MEANS OF INTERRUPTED ELECTRIC CURRENTS.” Introduced to the market in 1949, the Relax-A-Cizor was touted as “An Easy Way to Reduce HIPS and ABDOMEN / No Diet / No Drugs / No Heat / No Massage.” William Jack Browner, also of California, obtained a patent on the gizmo in 1953. In April 1970, having become convinced that the device was dangerous, judge William P. Gray issued a permanent injunction against its sale.
Ref: William J. Browner, “Therapeutic Electrode,” U.S. Patent 2,651,304 (Sept. 8, 1953) assigned to Relaxacizor-Thermatone, Inc.
“Reducing Device Ruled Hazardous By Judge,” Los Angeles Times (March 25, 1970), p. 33A.
