Random musings on New Technology JAMA 1906 The Automobile
Ignacio Valdes
Downloaded From: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/ by Michael Kordek on 02/07/2015
About five years ago I- purchased a second-hand runabout with the idea that I could have it overhauled and made into a practical doctor's vehicle. After spending about $900 I found that I could not make it practical. Every change I made in any part would necessitate a change of other parts, from motor to tire.I soon abandoned this idea and purchased a cheap runabout, water cooled, pneumatic tired, with single cylinder and planetary transmission. It was fine for one day, then I hit a spike and put a tire out, then in rapid succession came pump trouble, leak in radiator, leak in gasoline pipe, broken spring, flooding carburetor, bent axle, broken balls, cutout cones, broken connecting rod, short-circuited coil, broken commutator and other troubles. „ My average was about three professional calls to one to repair shop or tire store, with big bills in proportion, and a horse in the stable to pay for besides. A large part of my trouble, as I know now, was due to cheap material and construction and to the fact that properly designed parts were not to be had at that time. In about five months this machine was down and out. ...
I would advise no physician to buy an auto unless he has some mechanical genius in his make-up. The most simple derangement of the mechanism will prove his undoing. Tire troubles are most vexatious of all. Lately I have placed solid rubber tires on my rear wheels, and, although they do not ride quite as easily as pneumatic tires, they are so decidedly superior in every other way that I consider them a success.
As my friend expressed it, in reply to my question as to whether or not he was using his much, "I am not, as I do not get time to run it." The worst drawback is keeping them "tinkered" up every day before using, with the dirt and grease that goes with it. The expense for repairs is very little, but the time put on it is valuable. ...
Manufacturers Do Not Deal Fairly.
The trouble is that many manufacturers, after getting your money, do not seem to care at all whether the machine meets your expectations or not. If living at a distance you pay for it without knowing whether it is properly assembled or will turn a wheel, and the guarantee is practically valueless. No one should buy an automobile of any kind or make without expecting "a heap Of trouble on the old man's mind." ...
One Way to Swell Expense Account:
Next in importance is a thorough knowledge of the mechanism of operation. A physician who was condemning automobiles because of the cost of fuel was found, on investigation, to be running his machine with the throttle wide open, regulating the speed by the ignition lever, thus entailing enormous loss. He was astounded at the result when this error was corrected. It is estimated that 90 per cent, of the motorist's difficulties are due to ignition troubles. In the case of physicians who are supposed to be familiar with electricity and batteries, ..
Two Weeks' Course of Instruction.
The next most important factor is that the driver must know his car. It is unsafe for any man unfamiliar with gasoline engineering to attempt long trips until he has spent at least two weeks with a good skilled demonstrator, who has shown him why and where everything works. Many little matters can be adjusted in a minute if understood, but they can lay one up for a day if one does not know how to find them. This lack of knowledge on the part of operators has tended to make the use of automobiles less popular.
IN the spring of 1903 my son became interested in the automobile, and finally ordered one, which was to be shipped in a month. A month's interest on the money did not look large to him, so he paid full price and the vehicle was shipped four months later. The first evening I drove about 2 miles, up and down some pretty steep grades, and was well pleased. The next evening I went to see a patient 6 miles in the country (having my horse and buggy follow). I made the trip out in excellent time, but on the return a carburetor trouble developed (as was afterward discovered from a lump of solder lodging on top of float) and much gasoline leaked out. When we got well into town the- commutator loop had worn through and wasgiving a spark that would have done credit to the best X-ray machine. This set the gasoline on fire, and but for a lawn hose that was being used near by my subsequent trials might have been avoided. The manufacturers promptly sent me a new commutator and ignition cords, for which they charged full price. Being about as good mechanic as doctor, I repaired the old loop, making it much better than when new, wrapped the burned wires with adhesive plaster and soon had the thing going again. I tried two other carburetors before getting one that was a success and had several so-called experts working on the machine while I was daily acquiring experience—and possibly losing religion. I never started out with the certainty that I should not have to be hauled home, as frequently happened. I returned the motor to the factory in December, 1903, but it did not do any better, and in January, 1905, after an accident, the manufacturers said it would cost $40 or $50 to repair the motor, and I shipped it to them again. They returned it in five months with a bill of $75, but after an exchange of a few pleasantries, they generously threw off $10. By this time the expense had reached the sum of $223.40, not counting original cost or freight, and I had driven less than 200 miles, and kept my horse and buggy as before. .....
Service.—
I have done all my work with my machine. The only time it was out of service was two half days when improved auxiliary valves were installed—a voluntary, not an enforced, interruption. The Daily Attention Required.—This I figure at fifteen minutes. The machine should be well oiled every two or three days and once daily flooded—while the motor is running— with kerosene to cut out the thickened oil, carbon and dirt. The vibrator points and springs in the coil need a few minutes' attention about three times weekly, to keep the platinum surfaces even. Once or twice a week every bolt should be looked after.
4. Troubles.— (a) Plugs: I have not touched a plug for five months, the accessory valves carrying off contaminating oil and carbon. (b) Vibrators: (See above). (c) A dead battery: One should always carry an extra battery. (d) Tires: Punctures are few with tires of foreign make, though the American product seems better in the last year. There are vulcanizing preparations with which the punctured tube can be made good as new when one returns home. Two or three extra inner tubes should always be carried. I have gone eleven months without a puncture and then had eight in one afternoon! (e) Chain: A broken chain may be repaired in fifteen minutes if there are always some master links in the tool box. Breaks are positive "heart blocks" without these links, a cold chisel and a hammer, (f ) Slipping, skidding and spinning in mud, ice or snow are prevented by using detachable chains on the rear wheels. Loamy roads are very hard to travel. Much trouble is due to other meddling with or actually running the machine. Switch locks prevent any one else from starting the car.
5. Time Saved.—On short trips one saves half his time and even more on longer-courses.
6. Accessories.—The auto driver must carry extra plugs, inner tubes, a few master links, an extra battery, and extra float (for the carburetor), a pump, jack and set of tools well secured under lock and key and, therefore, always at hand.
7. Health and Recreation.—The saving of time, the fresh air, the absorption in the car in motion and the possessing of a hobby which one enjoys while actually doing the work brings one home at night fresh and ready for his reading. ..
