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'Flying Fox' in Department Stores​

Remember this ‘Flying Fox’ in department stores in the ‘40s to ‘60s? This clever system–seen at Loxton Historical Village's General Store–was how shops handled money before computers. Workers would send cash and dockets whizzing overhead, then wait for receipts to come sailing back. Have you encountered one of these before? Share your stories with us!

Credit: Australia Remember When / Facebook

 

[Marilynne]

I worked in a department store {H & J Smiths Southland NZ} on a Friday after school, that was back in the day when Friday nights were late night shopping because nothing was opened on the weekends. They could be quite noisy when the air was released, I did enjoy working with them.

 

[Rob Plumber]

Hattams Mens wear shop in Elsternwick Vic still till this day has a working "Flying Fox" in their store and the staff will gladly show you how it works and its from a bi gone era but i think they called it a different name

 

[Ginny Burke]

There’s one in Quorn South Australia. The whole shop is set as long yesteryear lines. Fabulous!

 

[Tarzan1951]

Stan Pollards clothing and materials store located in Charters Towers had this system up until the late 1970's. It was an incredible system with only one person in the crows box receiving the money from individual departments and then returning the change. Fond memories.

 

[Jethrotull]

There was a department store on the corner of Swan st and Church st, in Richmond, Victoria, can’t remember its name, but I loved watching the flying fox operate as a 10 year old.

 

[starrysnan]

They had this system in a store called Chart & Lawrence in Horsham, Sussex, England when I was a little child. My brother and I were always fascinated how it worked and how quickly it flew from the counter to the chief cashier - in the days when cash was king!

 

[peter kingshott]

G J COLES had them in many department stores [ASHBURTON & CITY for sure] no money kept on floor PAYMENTS AND CHANGE would travel back and forth - obviously a bit slower, but nobody was in a rush like they are today

 

[Leenie]

There was a department store here In Maryborough called BOYS ,
that also had one when I was young , loved watching it zip back and forth .

 

[Still Ebby]

They had this system in a store called Chart & Lawrence in Horsham, Sussex, England when I was a little child. My brother and I were always fascinated how it worked and how quickly it flew from the counter to the chief cashier - in the days when cash was king!

We had one in Ilkley UK and l loved going in the shop watching it work

 

[SGH]

I believe there was one in the Pitt Street Soul Pattinson store in Sydney, before they installed a tilly system. There were remnants of it around the store.