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 discussing headlight dimmer requirements for American cars being sent to England and proposing lighting combinations.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 61a\1\ scan0074 | |
| Date | 6th November 1920 | |
| COPY OY5/G6.11.20 Nov. 6th. 1920 Mr. Claude Johnson, Managing Director? Rolls-Royce Ltd., London, England. Attention: Mr. F.H. Royce. Dear Sir:- Re: Headlight Dimmers. On the American Cars we are sending to England it will be noticed that no side-lights are fitted but instead the headlights are dimmed for use in city traffic or when the car is standing. We believe that this is illegal in England where it is insisted that the side-lights should define the full width of the car. As far as we can see it is desirable to use side-lights in this country to emphasize the European origin of the car, but it is equally desirable to dim the headlights, since in city driving the reflected light from the radiator and front wings, when side-lights are used, is sufficient to confuse the eye so that it would be preferable to drive with the side-lights out and only the dimmed headlights in operation. It seems necessary, therefore, to provide the following combinations of lights. 1. Side and tail lights. 2. Dimmed headlights and tail. 3. Full headlights, sidelights and tail. As an additional and important reason for requiring dimmed headlights, we would point out that in many cities where cars are parked with the rear end in towards the curb and the front end standing out into the street, it is necessary at present to leave the headlights on which the car is standing in order to illuminate the front of the vehicle to avoid collision from passing traffic. The usual method of dimming headlights is to insert a resistance in the headlight circuit, but the more efficient methods are - Contd. | ||