1896 International Horseless Carriage Exhibition (May)
1896 May Exhibition Review [1]
INTERNATIONAL HORSELESS CARRIAGE EXHIBITION AT THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.
Saturday last being the opening day of the summer season at the Imperial Institute, the Prince of Wales took advantage of the occasion to pay an informal visit to the building. His Royal Highness, accompanied by her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg Strelitz, their Highnesses the Princess Marie and the Princess Jutta of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar, Sir Francis and Lady Knollys, Major-General Arthur Ellis (in attendance on the Prince of Wales), Colonel Francis Wemyss (in attendance on the Grand Duchess), and Mr. Christopher Sykes, dined at the Institute, and afterwards occupied seats in the pavilion adjoining the band kiosk at the evening inaugural concert of the Monte Carlo Orchestra.
There were also present Lord Herschell, Lord Loch, Lord Henry Fitzgerald, Sir E. Lawson, Sir F. Abel, Sir O. T. Burne and Lady Agnes Burne. Sir S. Samuel, Sir D. Tennant, Sir Somers Vine, Sir P. Magnus, Mr. C. Scott Dickson (Solicitor-General for Scotland), the Hon. Duncan Gillies, the Hon. Agar Wynne (of Victoria), Mr. T. P. O'Connor, M.P., Professor Dewar, Colonel C. Washington Eves, Mr. A. de Rothschild, Mr. A. Randegger, and other ladies and gentlemen.
As in former years, there have been special attractions appropriate to the season added to the ordinary collections of curiosities and objects of interest, while these also have been augmented and improved. The principal feature of this season is, unquestionably, the exhibition of horseless carriages, which has been arranged for the purposes of display in the North Gallery, the gallery of the south-east quadrangle, and in some portions of the grounds, while part of the south-west quadrangle has been converted into a track with gradients on which to test the various machines.
The above exhibition of horseless carriages or autocars, which, by the way, is a descriptive term much neater and more applicable than that employed in the title of the show, is really one that should not be missed by any person feeling even a passing interest in the road, pleasure, and business vehicle of the near future. The expert who has attended the linked exhibitions held since the movement began to catch on in this country will find but few novelties, but for the uninitiated the North Gallery of the Imperial Institute is full of interest.
The practical trials to which some of the vehicles are subjected in the gaily decorated grounds attract much notice, and these trials, which will go on here fron1 day to day, will do much to convince all who witness them of the practicalness of the autocar or autocycle, whether impelled by Daimler, Benz, Kane-Pennington, Electric, or De Dion and Bouton motors. At the time of our visit, however, the exhibits themselves were somewhat difficult of identification to those who took the tastefully got up catalogue for their guide, for the book speaks of rooms where there are no rooms, and numbers of exhibits which appear only in very few instances, upon the cars, etc, they are supposed to particularise.
Approaching the exhibits from the east end of the North Gallery, we come first in Room I. upon the space allotted to I. J. BENNETT, 106, Walton Street, Oxford, who shows one of Lilienthal's "Glider" flying machines, suspended overhead, and which resembles nothing so much as a man-carrying kite, in the shape of a great canvas winged bird, with a curious rudder-like tail, and fitted between the wings with armholes and shoulder rests, whereby the "glider" may swing himself. Lilienthal's feats in soaring from falling ground have been too well illustrated and discussed in the technical journals to need enlarging upon here. The "Glider," we suppose, can lay some claim to be termed a horseless carriage, and that, we presume, is sufficient reason for its finding a place here.
Also in Room I. is HIRAM S. MAXIM, 32, Victoria Street, who shows that feather weight 150 horse-power engine which was used to drive the American engineer's flying machine at Bexley, also the great air propeller by which the engine drove the machine.
Hard by we come upon the exhibit of P. S. Pilcher, of Artillery Mansions, Victoria Street, S. W., who also shows a soaring machine, somewhat upon the lines of, but differing considerably in detail from that of Lilienthal. Mr. Pilcher, who has soared to a height of thirty feet with this kite-like construction, is present, and willingly gives any earnest person full details of his experiences.
H. MIDDLETON, Slough, also shows a balloon flying machine and other aerial models, beyond which we came upon a vehicle fitted with the airwheels of THE PNEUMATIC WHEEL Co., of 6, Grays Inn Road. These wheels when first introduced were much discussed, and their vibration-annihilating properties fully admitted. They take the form of a large inflated collar of canvas-lined rubber held between dish flanges, which are fixed, or form part of a metal sleeve attached to the axle.
JOSEPH LATHOND, 38, Rue de Belleville, Paris, is down in the catalogue to exhibit an electric motor suitable for autocars, bicycles, and tricycles, with other articles, but did not appear to have taken up his space when we passed in Room III.
P. F. BURBIDGE & Co., Hamilton House, Bishopsgate Street without, show, amongst other rubber goods, a pair of wood wheels fitted with their Stud pneumatic tyre. In this tyre the outer cover has holes punched in its edge, which holes pass over short studs projecting in wares from the iron felloe, and which, when the air tube is inflated, securely holds the cover in its place. The locking of the cover to the rim in this manner ought to make this tyre particularly adaptable for the driving wheels of autocars, as there is a contact and connection other than frictional between the rim and the cover, through which the tractive impulse can be conveyed.
Passing two or three somewhat irrelevant exhibits, we light suddenly upon another space taken by H. MIDDLETON, of Slough, who shows two somewhat antique-looking cycle, one a safety and the other a tricycle, each driven by small steam engines. The engines fitted were of somewhat small proportions, the boiler in the case of the tricycle being carried in rear of the saddle. The engine fitted to the safety was made with two cylinders, end to end, the cranked spindle of the auxiliary sprocket wheel passing between them. Both machines were shod with solid tyres.
In Room III, L'HOLLIER, GASCOIGNE & Co., of 7, Bath Passage, Birmingham, and Maidstone, Kent, show one of their handsome hooded motor carriages, driven by a Benz oil motor. Both the carriages of this firm and the motors they employ have been fully described and illustrated in past numbers of The Autocar, so that there is no necessity to descant at length upon them here. This carriage, at the time of our visit, was running about the area set apart in the grounds for practical demonstrations, and giving ample proof of the excellent and handy qualities they have previously shown at Tunbridge Wells, Birmingham, Maidstone, and other places.
GARRARD & BLUMFIELD, Coventry, exhibit one of their electric motor carriages, with the accumulators carried in the body of the vehicle, and the motor driving the rear wheels through suitable gearing. The carriage has four 2ft. wheels, fitted with 6in. pneumatic tyres, the body being mounted upon easy spiral springs. We had no opportunity of a practical trial, but we should imagine the combination would render vibration almost a dead letter. The vehicle is neat and well fitted, built altogether upon the lines we consider should be followed more closely in autocar construction.
THE ARNOLD MOTOR CARRIAGE Co., sg, Mark Lane, show two of their neat little cars, the first of which will in the future come to be regarded as having played a part in the history of the autocar movement in this country. It was in one of these cars that Mr. Arnold was riding when stopped by a constable near Tunbridge, and it will be remembered that he in consequence subsequently appeared before the Tunbridge Bench, and was mulcted in a sum approaching £5 for his temerity. These carriages also more nearly approach the true autocar type than many others, and have been proved to be both light and speedy. They are fitted with Bentz motors with electric ignition, and have been already illustrated and described in our pases.
F. J. SMEDLEY, Alfreton Road, Nottingham, shows drawings of a sample of a new chain for autocar driving. The sample is fitted to a bicycle, and is made with solid rectangular blocks coupled by rivets projecting on either side, and carrying rolling collars. The chain runs in connection with grooved flanged wheels, the projecting rollers engaging with suitable depressions cut in the protecting flanges.
In Room V. the well-known coach builders, OFFORD & SONS g2, Gloucester Road, S.W., exhibit a four-wheeled dog-cart, driven by an electric motor, the force necessary to drive which IS obtained from forty accumulators carried in the body of the vehicle. The dog-cart is built to carry four passengers, and is very smart in appearance. The speed gearing between the • motor and the driving shaft is driven by leather belts, but the connection between the chain wheel and driving wheels is made by chains in the usual way.
HANS RENOLD, of Green Lane, Brook Street, Manchester, shows a somewhat novel form of steel chain for autocars, which is said to be silent in running. It is made with internal projecting teeth, which engage with the teeth of and connect up toothed spur and pinion •wheels. Chains will be found fitted to the phaeton and landau shown close by by the Universal Electric Carriage Co.
WALTER BERSEY (Universal Electric Carriage Co.), 39, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., show a well-built phaeton and landau, fitted each vehicle with two motors, connected with a special two-speed gear to each of the driving wheels. The motors' gear wheels and carriage wheels are all mounted on ball bearings. The accumulators are carried in the bodies of the vehicles. In place of the usual fluid electrolyte a special "afiuidic" or "dry " material is used, thus, to all intents and purposes, converting the cell into a dry battery. Among other advantages obtained by this arrangement is the impossibility of spilling the acid in the carriage. The vehicle can be driven either forward or backward. The accumulators are carried in a tray, and recharging can be effected wherever the electric light is used. One charging suffices for a run of forty miles. The steering is effected through a small vertical hand wheel, connected with spur and pinion gearing attached to the undercarriage, which is also mounted on ball bearings.
T. W. A. CLARKE, Havelock Works, Leicester, show their patent adjustable steel pipe tongs for motor cars.
NEW & MAYNE, Palace Chambers, Westminster, stage a Hildebrand oil motor cycle, with improved high-speed attachment. This machine is very similar to that shown at the late Salon du Cycle, in Paris, by Duncan & Suberbie, which has already been illustrated and described in this paper. This machine was tried last Wednesday on the Catford track, and there ran a mile in 2m. I8t s. It has also successfully made eighty-one miles between Woking and Devizes, and was the cause of the case heard before the Kingston Bench last week, the report of which will be found in another place.
BRAMPTON BROS., Oliver Street Works, Birmingham, exhibit samples of their autocar chains, which, in point of material, finish, and pitch, leave nothing to be desired. Messrs. Brampton are amongst the most renowned cycle chain makers in the world, and bid fair to take an equal place as manufacturers of driving-chains for autocars. The tastefully-decorated and lavishly appointed pavilion of tl\e Motor Car Club is next approached, wherein the n1en1bers of this remarkable association and their friends find most luxurious accommodation. The Motor Car Club is formed for the encouragement and protection of the motor car industry, and bids fa1r to prove a most potent factor in its future development. Here the members are certainly well catered for. The club's headquarters are at 40, Holborn Viaduct, E.C.
Just to the west of the club pavilion we find THE Qui~TON CvcLE Co., L TD., showing one of their a~m1rable " Quintan , safety cycles side by side w1th an old boneshaker bicycle, built twenty-seven years ago. A few steps further on we find a dainty autocar, tnade to carry two passengers, by L oYAL, of Paris, having an oil motor made on his principle, . viz., with two oscillating cylinders worktng duectly on the driving wheel's axle, and connected to the wheels through two disc friction ~lutches. This car and motor were fully described 1n our report of the autocar exhibited in the Palais de l'Industrie, at the Salon du Cycle last Noven1ber.
On this stand is a motor safety by DUNCAN & SUBERBIE, of Paris, which has also been illustrated and described in a previous issue. .
THE DAIMLER MOTOR Co., LTD., 40, Holborn Viaduct, E. C., have the largest, if not the most interesting, exhibit in the exhibition. The cars and motors shown by this company have been so frequently described and illustrated that we do not treat them in detail here. The variety of vehicles to which the Daimler motors are fitted will make clear to one who con1es fresh to the Imperial Institute the vast field l}iog open to the application of this beautiful and well tested motor in this country. The vehicles shown are a well designed Daimler oil motor omnibus, constructed by PEUGEOT FRERES of Paris, a handsome vis-a-vis Daimler motor carriage, also by the same well known French firm, and two handsome Victorias, each fitted with a four horse-power motor. A Daimler oil motor tramcar with passenger-carrying tender are really quite bijou things in tramcars, and we can imagine many cases in which such a tramway system would be particularly suitable. The two horse-power motor is entirely concealed in a neat little cabinet at one end of the tramcar, and is fitted with gearing for • three speeds as well as reversing gear. The gauge of the track is six hundred millimetres, or about two feet, so that the size of these cars in which the passengers sit back to back, as in a jaunting car, can be imagined. In addition, the company show a motor omnibus to seat four persons, and, what is most interesting to all, a motor horse, which is a low and primitive form of tricycle constructed and motor fitted by Gottlieb Daimler, of Cannstadt, in 1886, and an experimental motor quadricycle constructed by the same gentleman in the same year.
MULLINER, the carriage maker s of Birmingham, show a carriage frame for an autocar to be propelled by a Daimler motor.
HUMBER & Co., Beeston, Notts, have an interesting exhibit of motor cycles fitted with the Kane-Pennington oil motors, the patents of which are now the property of the British Motor Syndicate. There are two tandem safeties with the twin cylinder motors boomed out in rear, as so often shown in connection with this motor when attached to cycles, and two tricycles. The car with the Loyal motor referred to above should also be on this stand, but was other where as indicated at the time of our inspection. Humber's al so show two of the K. P. stationary motors, which for weight, space occupied, and power developed compare with any other motor extant.
THE BRITISH MOTOR SYNDICATE, LTD., in addition to motors and motor cycles by Kane and Pennington, of the satne character as those just mentioned, also show a safety fitted with a large air propeller carried behind the saddle, and driven by a K. P. motor. This machine, Mr. Pennington assured us, has developed a speed of thirty.-five miles per hour without pedal aid from the nder. The syndicate also exhibit a steam tricycle capable of carrying two persons, wherein steam is generated in four minutes by the use of an ingenious methylated spirit burner invented by M. Sautenard, of Paris. The motor can be reversed, no smell or heat being experienced, and great power with likeness is obtained. The patents are the property of the syndicate. There is also shown a three-wheeled phaeton, propelled by a steam motor on the 'veil known Serpollet system, as well as a brake to carry six people impelled by a like motor, etc. A single and double tricycle, fitted with the now familiar De Dion and Bouton oil motors, are also shown, the former at the time of our visit running about the grounds in a most satisfactory and convincing manner. On the north side of the south-east quadrangle,
THE BRITANNIA WORKS, Colchester, show exam pies of their excellent motors for cars and launches . These we hope to describe and illustrate fully in a subsequent issue
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