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).
Starter failure on car 22-EX, traced to an electrical fault caused by the use of ebonite.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 64\4\ scan0289 | |
| Date | 1st June 1929 | |
| X7655 To EFC from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} re 22-EX. Starter Failure in France. Referring to EFC5/D27.5.29 it is satisfactory to see that this failure, the cause of which seemed so obscure, has been definitely traced to electrical trouble arising out of the use of unsatisfactory material, i.e. ebonite for certain electrically operated parts. Although bakelite mouldings are now I understand not likely to give the same trouble when used in the future, I should be glad to know whether in connection with important experimental work going on with SS{S. Smith} or other chassis ebonite is still used in any place or under any conditions where disastrous results may occur again. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||