The Marketplace: No Hands

In the continuing effort of U.S. gadget makers to spare the citizen even the least physical exertion, such simple tasks as brushing one’s teeth, hair and boots have been taken over by a whirring peddler’s pack of electrical gimmicks that foreshadow the day when people will need nothing but an index finger (for button pushing) and a vestigial thumb, helpful in plugging things in. Among the don’t-do-it-yourself items now available: > Electric toothbrushes have proved to be popular beyond manufacturers’ dreams, and demand has outstripped production. General Electric’s model delivers a brisk, sideways ”reciprocating action” stroke, operates on batteries that may be recharged by plugging it into an electrical outlet. Squibb’s electric toothbrush runs on household current, produces the rapid, “brush up and down, not across.” Both come with a set of changeable brush heads so that each member of the family may snap on his own. Prices: $19.95 (General Electric), $19.75 (Squibb). > “SpeedSnips” electric scissors “eliminate tiresome hand cutting” with a snickersnee that plugs into the wall, comes in four colors. Price: $7.95. >Electric can openers are made by more than 20 manufacturers. Price range: $9.95 to $29.95.

> Kitchenaid’s electric coffee mill revives a forgotten household chore, can be set for a choice of 16 grinds. Price: $32.95.

> Electric pepper mill, the peak of mechanized gracious living. Made in Japan, it is battery-powered, push-button operated. Price: $5.95.

> Point-0-Matic pencil sharpener, with indicator light to tell when pencil is pointy; “nib” control can be adjusted to produce fine or broad points. Price: $29.95.

> Electric carving knife, made by Minitone, whose vorpal blade hacks through the toughest roast like a power saw. Price: $12.95. > Cory’s Vitabrush is for hair, “turns 15 to 20 minutes of hand brushing into three minutes of fun.” has detachable bristles for quick cleaning. Price: $29.95.