All Shook Up

[cloudbase]

MIAMI (AP) — The inventor of the “Magic Fingers Vibrating Bed,” a coin-operated fixture in American motel rooms in the 1960s and 70s, has died in Florida.

John Joseph Houghtaling (HUFF-tay-ling) was 92. His son Paul says the inventor died Wednesday at his home in Fort Pierce.
Tinkering in the basement of his New Jersey home, Houghtaling invented the “Magic Fingers” machine in 1958. It caused beds to vibrate when a quarter was dropped in the device.
He moved the company to Miami in 1968 and remained its president until he retired in the 1980s

The kitschy devices made their way into pop culture — celebrated in song by Jimmy Buffett and Frank Zappa and the cause of a beer explosion in the movie “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”

[Forkboy]

1. Well, I thought this would relate to Cheap Trick, but vibrating beds are almost as good.

Thanks for the fun, J.J.

Rest in peace. No vibrating beds.

[many a good man]

2. Links?!

This post requires links to the Magic Fingers allusions contained therein. Any youtubes?

[many a good man]

3. Zappa: Magic Fingers

Skip the narrative and go to the show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fRimhxa0bE

[ornotna]

4. That explains it all

:toast:

[no name no slogan]

5. Goodnight, funnyman