The point of this machine is to test your lungs. What you do is put a penny in, Grab the hose and blow until you’ve either passed out or raised all the divers. The divers raise one at a time. Collectors of Penny Arcade machines are not certain this was ever made since no existing examples have ever been found. From: http://www.arcadetreasures.com/arcade/Submarine_Lung_Tester.html
Illustration from a Novelty Supply Catalog from around 1905. None are known to still exist. From: http://www.pinrepair.com/arcade/wblow.htm
Illustration from a novelty catalog from about 1905. No known examples exist today. From: http://www.pinrepair.com/arcade/hatblow.htm
Caillie’s Hygienic Tester. From http://io9.com/forgotten-arcade-games-let-you-shoot-space-men-and-catc-513560652
Lung tester manufactured by the Mills Novelty Company about 1905. The grip in the middle was a hand strength tester. From http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=10963
Caille coin-operated Spirometer Lung Strength Machine c1896, 11″w x 5″d x 18″h
http://live.vcaauction.com/5-Cent-Caille-Spirometer-Lung-Strength-Machine-c1896_i12244964
The National Spirometer Co. “Automatic Therapy” Shock & Lung Test Machine c1900, wood case. For the nerves, aches & pains. For measuring the capacity of and expanding the lungs. Expensive doctor visits could be avoided by use of a coin-operated treatment machine. A high score on the lung test returns the patron’s coin, works. 12″w x 13″d x 19″h
http://live.vcaauction.com/1-Cent-The-National-Spirometer-Co-Automatic-Therapy_i12244963
Manufactured by the National Spirometer Company. Date given as 1854 but more likely from the 1890’s..
http://www.icollector.com/Automatic-Medical-Battery-Automatic-Spirometer_i9337335
Manufactured in 1899 by the National Spirometer Company, New York City, New York.
The Love Spirometer, circa 1902. From arcade-history.com
http://www.arcade-history.com/?n=love-spirometer&page=detail&id=19670