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).
Adoption of Bakelite as an insulating material for various parts.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 39\3\ Scan037 | |
| Date | 18th March 1921 | |
| X 3513 To R.R. of American Inc. (For the attention of OY). From R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. CJ c. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. Ry. c. EFC. X.1109 RE INSULATING MATERIAL. X.4287. X.3513. X.2494. You will see from recent memos that I consider Bakelite will have to be adopted by us for many parts it seems suitable for, principally because it appears to be the only material of its class that gives a good finish on an article, as it comes directly from the mould. You have suggested it is also suitable for the covering of the steering wheels, so that we have :- Steering wheels. Ignition coil case and cover. Distributor (three pieces present pattern). Several small pieces in distributor boxes and switchboxes. In Springfield it seems easy to obtain excellently finished pieces in this material which we cannot get in England. I am proposing that Derby purchase jointly with you, these parts for the present. That you interview the Bakelite parent company in the States, and let us have the full information as to the possibility of our making such parts at Derby, under licence from them. I understand that the material is some variety of synthetic resin, which is supplied by the parent company in powdered form the metal moulds are filled, pressed, and baked, much the same as vulcanised rubber or stabilite. Contd. | ||