From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Customer complaint about a propeller shaft, and the design philosophy of making it intentionally weak to protect other components.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 77\1\ scan0096 | |
| Date | 28th June 1911 | |
| R.R. 348A (100 H) (W 387. 4.4.11). E.P. 8817. DEPARTMENTAL MEMO. Issued 28th June 1911 This column is for Name of Person addressed. DATE. Mr Wormald 28/6/11 CJ18/D28611 With reference to Kenneth Clark's complaint (attached), please report on the propeller shaft question. - Surely it should be strong enough to withstand the skidding of wheels. C.J. Handwritten notes: AA{D. Abbot-Anderson} Attach to W Barington's Memo P Mr Johnson. 4.7.11. AW23/G4711. I believe that Mr Royce has purposely made the propeller shaft to a certain extent weak, so that in the event of sudden pulling up of the car, the shaft will go first and so avoid the breaking up of such vital parts as gears. We have had one or two similar cases lately and the matter is now engaging the attention of the Technical Dept. with a view to seeing if it is possible to overcome the trouble. This sheet must be filed with the correspondence to which it refers. | ||