Inventor of "Magic Fingers" Bed Dies at 92

Houghtaling invented the "Magic Fingers" machine in 1958, in the basement of his New Jersey home. He eventually moved the business to Miami in 1968. He served as president of the company until his retirement in the '80s.

Ed Watkins, editor of Lodging Hospitality magazine told the LA Times:

"It was probably the first guest-room amenity after the TV, and almost ubiquitous in motels in the 1960s and into the 1970s."

"Magic Fingers" beds have made their way into pop culture. "Put in a quarter, turn out the light, Magic Fingers makes ya feel all right," sang Jimmy Buffett in "This Hotel Room." And the bed made appearances in CSI (attached to this post) and the X-Files, as well.

RIP, John Joseph Houghtaling (pronounced HUFF-tay-ling). Sorry to say, your quarter has run out.