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 Dunlop Rubber Co. regarding tyre noise and the non-skidding effect of different tread designs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 42\1\ Scan038 | |
| Date | 16th February 1926 | |
| C O P Y. The Dunlop Rubber Co., Fort Dunlop, Erdington, Birmingham. 16th. Feb. 1926. Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd., Derby. Dear Sirs, For the attention of Mr. Hives. I thank you for your letter of the 9th. inst. and am glad to know that Mr. Royce is very pleased with the running of our new tyres on well base rims. With regard to the question of noise - I am sorry your Sales people find it necessary to raise this point again. We have had many discussions in the past on this matter of noise and have given the subject our most careful attention continuously. It is, however, quite certain that the very desirable non-skidding effect cannot be obtained without some noise resulting. The noise can be eliminated by employing continuous ribs in place of tread designs incorporating transverse grooves, but the difference in efficiency particularly on greasy highly polished road surfaces is so very marked that we feel unable to incur the risks of such types of patterns merely to overcome the humming noise produced by the most efficient tread designs. I shall of course be very glad to see you any time you care to run over and to carry out with you any tests you desire. Please give me a ring any morning that you would suit you when I can let you know if I could meet you on that day. Yours faithfully, FOR THE DUNLOP RUBBER CO.LTD., W.H.Paull (Sgd.) Local Director. | ||