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The Romance of modern scientific and mechanical Achievements

Motor-Propelled Vehicles 319 its attention to the commercial field. Here, owing to the wide diversity of the requirements to be ful- filled, almost illimitable scope was offered. To-day the production of cars essentially for commercial purposes constitutes the sheet anchor of the British motor-manufacturing industry. Every possible field of application has been invaded, and at the moment a spirited struggle is raging between the internal combustion motor-driven vehicle and electricity for supremacy. This rivalry is more pronounced in what might be described as public-service facilities. The motor-bus is faster and more mobile than the electric tramcar. The public has not failed to recognise this advantage, and is extending a greater measure of favour to the former than to the latter. This rivalry is particularly pronounced wherever the two systems are running directly side by side. The internal combustion engine has assured the speediest form of locomotion upon land, in the air, and upon the water. In the first-named instance it has long since surpassed the train, which was con- sidered for so long to be invincible in this connection. Upon the water it has relegated the steam-driven craft to second place by notching over 40 miles an hour. In the air the highest speeds ever attained by mankind have been rendered possible by this engine —2J miles per minute ! It was this motor, moreover, which first brought submarine warfare within practical limits. Previous to its perfection the submarine had been regarded somewhat as a phantasy. True, at the moment, the petrol motor has been superseded in this service, but only by a younger brother—the Diesel oil motor—