All About Inventions and Discoveries
The Romance of modern scientific and mechanical Achievements

Forfatter: Frederick A. Talbot

År: 1916

Forlag: Cassell and Company, LTD

Sted: London, New York, Toronto and Melbourne

Sider: 376

UDK: 6(09)

With a Colour Plate and numerous Black-and-White Illustrations.

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Motor-Propelled Vehicles 317 miles. This competition served to rivet public atten- tion upon the possibilities of motor traction and to foreshadow that, no matter what opposition might be launched against the new idea, it had progressed too far to be killed by public opinion. After Butler’s abortive effort to circumvent the drag of the Red Flag Act, little attention was devoted to the project in this country until 1895. Then an English gentleman, Mr. John Henry Knight, a well- known engineer, once more took up the cudgels on behalf of British effort. He had previously built, some years before, a steam-car, but now he embraced the latest idea—the oil engine. He had already invented an engine of this type, which had proved a distinct commercial success, and he decided to adapt it to a three-wheeled carriage. This was subse- quently converted to the familiar four-wheeler to secure greater safety. While this car could not be called a “ flier,” it aroused attention by notching 8 miles an hour, which was twice the limit allowed by law. It was this car which played a prominent part in bringing about the repeal of the iniquitous Red Flag Act. One day, while joy-riding at some 6 miles an hour, a policeman swooped down upon Mr. Knight. He was prosecuted with the utmost rigor of the law upon two indictments, to wit, not having a traction- engine licence and not being preceded by a man with the red flag. Fortunately, he fell into the hands of somewhat enlightened magistrates, who, having to fulfil the law, considered justice was adequately met with a fine of half a crown and costs upon each summons! This prosecution led to a far-reaching outcry against the handicap under which British inventors