The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1912-04-01

world for no other reason than that
the worm drive was new to this coun-
try and no inkling that the Buffalo
concern had been experimenting with
it had leaked out to any great extent.
The worm drive is not new. 1t was
known several hundred years ago as
drawings in the British Museum from
the hand of Durer testify. These draw
ings show the worm drive operated
by hand, used to propel some of the
floats used in great pageants. 1t has
been in use In motor cars in England
for a dozen years and the worm drive
would appear to be one matter of
standard motor car engineering prac-
tice for which full credit for pioneer
snip abroad must be given to the Eng.
lish. However, American manufac-
turers have never been slow to adopt
what has proven successful abroad,
and in this instance the Pierce-Arrow
company seems to have been ahead
in the field.
Pierce-Arrow trucks have now been
in active operation in the hands of
numerous owners for a considerable
period and the reports from these own
ers, aside from every other consider
alton, are sufficient to prove to the
company that it was right in intro
ducng the worm drive here, it's Off
GERS say. Fney add that there has not
been a single report of any trouble
in this connection, and the only care
that is necessary in it's operation is
to lubricate it once in every 5000
miles of running.
Among the engineers who are re-
garded as authorities on the worm
drive is H. Kerr Thomas. In discus
sing it he says;
1.-THE entire history of the automo-
bile industry has been one Of expert
mental research and the modification
of types AS the public has advanced
various new requirements the manu-
facturer has proceeded step by step
to evolve new ideas and perfect them.
"The earliest automobiles were
light vehicles designed and used for
pleasure purposes and in nearly ev-
cry instance they were equipped with
chain drive. 1t was not long before
the possibilities of mechanical trac-
ton for business vehicles became OBJ
vious. The chain driven vehicle were
put to the heaviest use, and among
the greater of the early trouble en-
countered were those Incidental to the
use of chains.
within limits these troubles have
been eliminated. 1t is true that they
still require constant adjustment and
other care, but the chain makers have
so improved their product that chains
now seldom break until they are WORT
out.
"Ten years ago French engineers
introduced the bevel and 1t was, for
considerable period, employed even b!
its strongest advocates only on car
of small weight At first it was con
? sidered inefficient and liable to break
T. age It's many advantages were s.
apparent, however, that it was devel
oped and improved, until now, in spit
of every conceivable objection tina
: was brought forward during the ear
: Ter days, its use is accepted on tn
heavier passenger cars as standar
!. and reliable practice.
Analogous to this is the case c
J. the worm gear Perfected by Swis
engineers and tool makers for sti
r. tionery purposes, its possibilities wer
seized upon by Manchester in the clio
h ing years of the last century for us
1. in the motor car. 1t, alone, anon
all forms of mechanical speed redu
is ton gears is distinguished by absv
f. Lutte silence of operation.
I'll, the chain and beYel drives II