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).
Arguing against mounting the chassis lighting switch on the steering column.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179\3\ img093 | |
| Date | 22th March 1932 | |
| SECRET ORIGINAL To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst. c. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Ds. RV. CHASSIS LIGHTING SWITCHES X6139 We do not view favourably the idea of mounting the lighting switch on the top of the steering column for the following reasons :- (1) There is a danger of serious accident due to the switches being flicked off when pulling the steering wheel hand over hand round a difficult bend at speed in the dark. A return of the automobile accidents, published in America where steering column switching is in use extensively, show that several accidents occurred due to this cause. (2) Another point is that on the Peregrine where steering column switching is proposed, we shall have lamp switches on the column without presumably locking control, charge and ignition switch on the instrument board and a separate starter press button, making three switching control units. We should like the starter motor press button to be incorporated in the switchbox, also the red ignition warning light, and it would be difficult to do this on the top of the steering column. (3) We think it also essential that the dimming control should be released from the steering column as it is necessary to have both hands free to grip the steering wheel when dimming at high speeds. The present foot control is ideal. The advantage of the starter button mounted on the switchbox is that its action can suitably be locked by the locking key as in the Bosch where the ignition and starter circuits are locked as a precaution against interference or theft. Also extra wiring is avoided. Mounting a small starter button on the switchbox along with the switch levers reduces considerably the possibility of the button being accidentally pressed while the engine is running. | ||