Ingenious Ideas to Aid Motorists

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23719, 27 July 1940, Page 11 (Supplement)

Ingenious Ideas to Aid Motorists

Numerous ingenious motoring inventions have recently been introduced in America. One promises cooler brakes as the result of a glass fabric lining, which is said to be heat insulating. It consists of a mat of glass fibres bound together by synthetic resin, and it acts as a buffer, preventing the transfer of heat generated by friction to the brake shoe. The heat goes instead to the brake drum and is rapidly dissipated, and the brakes never grab. A braking system that automatically goes into operation if a car should take ft curve too fast is the subject of a patent. Another braking gadget automatically sounds the horn when the brakes have to be applied suddenly. To keep the motorist informed as to the exact spot on the road where his car will come to a stop at any given speed when full braking power is applied is the aim and claim of another invention. A special sighting system connected with the speedometer reveals an image of the spot to the driver. A speedometer is offered with a plurality of pointers which become locked to indicate the speed of a car at the time of an accident, and whether the driver attempted to slow down or not. The speedometer also records the maximum speed of the trip.

One reason why motorists do not buy their lubricating oil in five-gallon drums is the subsequent "difficulty of getting rid of the empty drums. This problem appears to be solved by the invention of a drum made of grease-proof paper, which can be lnirncd when the oil has been used. A substance found in egg yolks improves anti-knock petrol, according trr another inventor.