Transportation T & E: Rolls-Royce automobile ignition switch
Starter
circa 1920 (Date manufactured/created)
Rolls-Royce automobile ignition switch or starter, made by Westinghouse. The black encasement is circular, and includes the logo for Rolls Royce at the very top. There are two switches on either side to indicate what is on and what is off. The ignition switch was an invention designed to make starting an automobile easier and safer for the driver. Before 1920 most cars had to be started by hand with a crank. This required a certain amount of strength, and was a process that could also cause personal injury, hence the starter invention was invaluable.
The starter was x-rayed by students from Quinnipiac University. They also x-rayed our similar ignition switch made for Locomobile, and the images were compared.
The starter was x-rayed by students from Quinnipiac University. They also x-rayed our similar ignition switch made for Locomobile, and the images were compared.
2001.005.0018