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).
Development and testing of headlamps and fog lamps, including bulb types and modifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 61a\2\ scan0243 | |
| Date | 9th March 1934 | |
| -2- Ha/Wst.2/KW.9.3.34. There is no difficulty about having clear glass in the headlamps: as a matter of fact we are now getting them on the Bentley, but we do not agree that we should go back to the altogether clear glass bulbs. We should ensure that on all our lamps Messrs. Lucas supply us with what they call the "light acid etch" type of lamp bulb, having a V filament. Whilst at their Works we discussed the question of headlamps generally and raised the question with them again about the inclusion in our headlamps of a hood over the top portion of the lamp bulb to prevent direct light from the filament escaping in an upward direction. We found that they were now quite interested in this suggestion, and have already incorporated it on their fog lamps. They are also considering the question of making a similar modification to the main headlamp. We understood from Mr. Neill that another large English Motor Manufacturing concern have also approached them similarly. They have produced a very interesting fog lamp suitable for our R.R. 40/50 or 20/25 cars, having an appearance identical to the P.100, the idea being to match up with the P.100 headlamps. We think it an excellent idea to fit a centre fog lamp to our chassis and use the fog lamp as a dimming medium instead of having dipping reflectors in the headlamps. We think such an arrangement would put our lighting equipment on a very sound basis both for ordinary driving and for use in fog. We have had running at the Works on one of our experimental cars a headlamp fitted with a hood over the bulb which we made and fitted up ourselves in the experimental Dept. We are arranging to send this lamp to Messrs. Lucas for their examination, now that they are interested in the idea. Ha/Wst. | ||