Canberra Show visitors saw a machine that chain smoked cigarettes, which was featured on the front page of The Canberra Times on this day in 1962.
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The machine was exhibited by the Australian Consumers' Association at the Canberra Show. The Association used the machine to test the solids content of cigarettes.
It comprised of an automatic timer, Perspex filter holder, a glass retort and a mechanical lung.
An association spokesperson said the machine demonstrated the scientific nature of the tests it made.
The consumers' association tested goods and reported their findings to the Choice magazine.
The spokesperson said a range of different cigarette brands were selected for tests.
Eight cigarettes were used from each pack. They were placed in the holder, containing an industrial filter disc.
The mechanical lung took a two-second puff every minute.
Tar, nicotine and other particles were trapped by the filter.
The filters were removed and weighed to determine the amount of solids.
An average cigarettes lasted from eight to 12 puffs.
The tests showed that filters on some cigarette brands made no difference to the amount of solids that passed into a smoker's lungs.
The photo accompanying the article demonstrates the machine puffing on a cigarette.
