“SUCCESS STORY“ STAUFFER HOME PLAN -- VIBRATING FAT BURNING DEVICE PROMOTIONAL FILM XD72144

Join this channel to get access to perks: Want to learn more about Periscope Film and get access to exclusive swag? Join us on Patreon. Visit Visit our website Directed by Bob Hiestand, and reported by Ken Peters, this is an episode of the obscure 1950s TV show “Success Story“ that each week originated from “somewhere” in southern California. This episode is about the Stauffer exercise machine and the assembly line process to manufacture it. The Stauffer “body shaping“ machine was an early muscle toning or exercise machine. Stauffer’s Magic Couch claimed it would vibrate your fat away, helping you shed the pounds while lounging.. It proved controversial: roughly 10 years after this film was made, Stauffer was sued by the Federal Trade Commission for making false claims related to the effectiveness of the Posture-Rest. The Commission determined that the couch “has no value or usefulness in accomplishing the asserted results“ and its decision was confirmed by the courts. “Success Story“ was sponsored as a public service by Richfield, makers of Richfield 1030 Motor Oil and Richfield Gasoline. See also this related film: The film starts with vintage newspapers and the title “Stauffer Home Plan Success Story“ while a muted narrator speaks in the background (0:09). The camera sweeps through the Stauffer Factory (0:22), showcasing Stauffer’s portable motorized couch (0:32) and a piece of newspaper advertisement for Mr. Stauffer’s magic couch (0:40). An engineer cuts fabric with a circular-bladed electric saw, with the narrator highlighting the importance of the material (1:07), followed by shots of sewing tables (1:21) and the new, ultra-modern Stauffer plant spanning five acres (1:45). Ken Peters appears on screen and describes the portable unit (1:56) while aluminum tubing, which becomes the framework for the Portable Unit, is displayed (2:14), followed by a special pressure machine for testing the tubing (2:35) and the completed version of the tubes (3:17). A drill is shown making screw holes in the tube (3:36), and a piece of airfoam rubber applied to a plywood board (4:05). The movie shows the three parts comprising the oscillating unit (5:00) and three individuals beginning to manufacture and assemble the oscillator, starting with Ronnie, then moving to Ray, and eventually Frank, making the final adjustments (2:40). The movie depicts a General Electric 112 horsepower motor that powers the rocker (5:57) and a doctor, Bill, listening for knots in the pulleys (6:27). The final assembly line procedure is demonstrated, beginning with handlebars shown earlier now with rubber feet, and ending with the installation of the boards (6:50-7:27). The film displays a test unit with a resistance string simulating the weight of a 250lb person (7:42), and the reporter interviews Leu, the plant manager (7:46-9:47). Description of an Indian princess by Leu (might be considered offensive) (8:32). Ken Peters’s follow-up could also be seen as offensive and diminutive (8:53-9:00) The movie concludes as Peters begins discussing the medical research division at the plant (9:53). For more about the devices see: We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tburchill at the Quebec Conference.“ This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit