1987 TADREADER A TADACT Productions project

Design and production by Derek for TADACT Productions.
This illustration is from the 1997 Catalog which explains the semi-commercial set-up.

My mother was the original recipient of this concept. Rose at Burra in 1988.
My mother was the original recipient of this concept.
Rose at Burra in 1988.

This design resulted from finding a solution to my mother’s problem of holding up books when reading in an armchair.

The solution to her problem was easy as all relevant dimensions were known, but designing it for unknown situations and making in small batches required a bit more flexibility.

The Tadreader became extremely popular so I took on the production.

Eventually well over 500 were produced by the time I retired in 1991 from TADACT and TADACT Productions but the stimulus was not there. Little technical variations were tried by TADACT without consultation with me which reduced its effectiveness and it was discontinued. Death through attrition and ignorance.

It has proved to be very versatile in a wide variety of situations and my only model is in constant use every day during siesta time.

Genevieve studying with the aid of the Tadreader at Burra
Genevieve studying with the aid of the Tadreader at Burra
Maxine  reading a book lying down in bed with legs reversed. Also called Multi-purpose Reading Aid (MPRA)
Maxine reading a book lying down in bed with legs reversed.
Also called Multi-purpose Reading Aid (MPRA)