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).
Letter from Harry Ricardo discussing a 'High Power Head' patent from a competitor named Whatmough and Ricardo's own successful patent action.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 133\2\ scan0058 | |
| Date | 13th July 1934 | |
| x4706 DLR. Please note & Return DIRECTORS: H.R. RICARDO, F.R.S. THE VISCOUNT COMBERMERE. SIR A.H. MCMAHON, G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O. H.A. HETHERINGTON. P.C. KIDNER. RICARDO & CO., ENGINEERS, (1927) LIMITED. SHOREHAM-BY-SEA STATION, SOUTHERN RLY. TELEPHONES: SHOREHAM-BY-SEA 132 & 385. TELEGRAMS: EMPALIUM, PHONE, SHOREHAM-BY-SEA. LONDON OFFICE: 21, SUFFOLK STREET, PALL MALL, LONDON, S.W.1. TEL: WHITEHALL 6644. TELEGRAMS: EMPALIUM, LESQUARE, LONDON. CONSULTING ENGINEERS. OUR REF. HRR/S/39791. BRIDGE WORKS, OLD SHOREHAM, Sussex. 13th July, 1934. PERSONAL. W. A.{Mr Adams} Robotham Esq., Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd., Derby. Dear Robotham, Very many thanks for your letter. I am so glad to hear that you are going to have a whack at what we call the "High Power Head". In the case of the "High Power Head" as used by Crossley's, Whatmough has a patent which relates to the water circulation. This, so far as one can see, does not differ from any orthodox system, the only difference we can find being that the arrows in his picture point in odd directions, but why the water should follow his arrows heaven only knows - he apparently relies on the power of suggestion! At one time we thought we ought to jump on Whatmough, but found that, on balance, he did us quite a lot of good by bringing us fresh licensees, so we have left him alone. Now that we have won our patent action over the turbulent head, we are in a strong position; meanwhile, Whatmough appears to have faded out of the picture and returned to his old trade of journalist. Yours sincerely, Harry. R.{Sir Henry Royce} Ricardo [STAMP: RECEIVED LR{Mr Ellor} 14 JUL 1934] | ||