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 Notek Electric Company regarding the testing of their non-glaring fog and traffic lamps.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 167\1\ img013 | |
| Date | 11th November 1935 | |
| TELEPHONE VICTORIA 5366. TELEGRAMS { INLAND: NOTEKEL, SOWEST, LONDON. FOREIGN: NOTEKEL, LONDON. NOTEK ELECTRIC COMPANY LIMITED DIRECTORS: P. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} MORAN C. CASPER (GERMAN) S. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} LIGHT 79, BUCKINGHAM PALACE ROAD, LONDON, S.W.1. YOUR REF: OUR REF: CC/CL 11th November, 1935. Messrs. Rolls-Royce, Limited, 14 & 15, Conduit Street, W. [Handwritten note: O.K. 12/11/35] For the attention of Mr. Willoughby Lappin. Dear Sirs, We are very much obliged to you for the opportunity afforded to us of submitting to you two Notek Non-Glaring Fog and Traffic Lamps for test purposes. We understand that you are mainly interested in testing these lamps as regards their value in fog, and we would like to point out in this respect that we rely on the extremely sharp-edged "sheet" of light emanating from the centre of the lamp. The latter should be adjusted so that the top of the beam just cuts under the fog. As you know, the height of the fog above the surface of the road varies considerably according to its density, and it is therefore necessary, in real fog, that this adjustment be made. For this reason the spigot of the lamp is constructed in such a way that the lamp may be adjusted by hand without loosening any nut. If this precaution is taken, which we repeat is only necessary in dense fog, satisfactory results will be obtained and the surface of the road up to a width of 15 to 20 ft. will be clearly visible. We would also like to refer to the other qualities of this lamp, which are its excellent non-glare properties and its wide-spread beam. A measurable width of 100 ft. at 30 ft. distance from the car, and a range of 150 yds., are obtained, which have been found to be very helpful in night driving, as all objects within this area are clearly illuminated and curves are fully lighted before approach. The light has also been found to be extraordinarily efficient in rain, when it affords the driver vision when in the ordinary way the light of his headlamps is absorbed by the dark and shiny surface of the road. For clear weather driving we recommend that the lamp, which is suitably fitted at a height of between 20 and 25" from P.T.O. | ||