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).
Giving an opinion on the placement of various vehicle controls, specifically on the steering column.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 19\3\ Scan069 | |
| Date | 23th April 1929 | |
| C. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X7772. BY6/G.23.4.29. R.R.A.I. - RE CONTROLS ON TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. --------------------------------- Referring to Oy3. of March 25th, which we return herewith, we are of the opinion 1/- That control of the lights, i.e. for dipping, is better carried out by a foot operated switch. 2/ We are not in favour, and we do not think R.{Sir Henry Royce} would be agreeable to having all controls removed from the steering column as suggested. On the 20 HP. originally the carburation control was carried on the instrument board as now suggested. As the result of complaints from customers it was later reinstated on the column in line with the 40/50 HP. 3/- Spark Control. It is possible that some of the schemes referred to by OY., particularly that in his letter of February 9th (ref. OY2) may cut out the need for manual control of the spark. Until, however, some very positive change of principle, like that involved in the design referred to, comes forward as a commercial success, we should certainly require the duplicate control of involving partial hand whilst giving the main advance automatically. 4/- Carburation Control. This I referred to under heading No.2. We consider that it is more accessible and likely to be used on the column than anywhere else. If this control is placed on the instrument board it will be entirely forgotten. We are not in agreement with the suggestion that we should fit one lever to control the richness of the carburetter and also the pilot jet. We are certain that R.{Sir Henry Royce} would disagree with the suggestion that there should be no weak side to the mixture. From our experience we are certain that in this country at least the carburation control is used regularly on both sides of 'normal'. 5/- The question of an automatically controlled shutter is one which R.{Sir Henry Royce} will have to settle as in the past he has definitely decided against its use. Possibly the extended use of the automatic scheme in the States might cause R.{Sir Henry Royce} to modify his original | ||