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).
Visit to Messrs. Lucas to discuss technical collaboration, testing facilities, and components.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 37\1\ scan 201 | |
| Date | 5th June 1931 | |
| X3199 Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/HEW. c. Ry. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/HEWl/AD5.6.31. X3199 X3374 VISIT TO MESSRS. LUCAS. By/RD. and myself visited Messrs. Lucas on Wednesday last to discuss several points with their technical representatives. The items chiefly dealt with were high frequency buzzer type horns, battery ignition, lamps and bakelite insulation. Dr. E.O. Turner, head of the Research Laboratories, appeared very interested in what we were doing particularly with regard to battery ignition and was very keen that we should share their experimental research information. It was stated frankly in conversation that as they do not look upon us as competitors, nor do they expect that we shall buy their mass produced article, they would like very much to work with us and by an interchange of experimental knowledge, keep our electrical equipment up-to-date, whilst we, on our side, could let them know of any development which might be of any use to them. Whilst we consider this an excellent policy from which we should both mutually benefit, it will be necessary to move carefully in the matter when it comes to questions of patents etc. Their laboratories are well equipped for doing tests of all descriptions. There is a tropical room for testing electrical units under tropical conditions and a refrigerator which will take a full sized chassis for tests at low temperatures. Messrs. Lucas would be pleased to test units for us, if necessary, in these rooms. With regard to their apparatus for testing insulation, we mutually exchanged our ideas and methods of test which will prove very helpful. The question of bakelite powders was discussed and they stated they had found the Bakelite Co's X.20 grade powder to be the best. Messrs. Lucas have now produced an electric horn which has a note almost identical with the Bosch. The models produced are known as the Altette and the Alto, the latter being more powerful. They can be supplied either with a grille front or horn. We have arranged | ||