New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-09
SELF-STARTER HISTORY
E. v. Hartford Reviews Efforts
of Last Eight Years.
PREDICTS UNIVERSAL USE
Credits French Makers with
Pioneer Work and Thinks
Electric Type Is Best.

Before the students of the Automobile
School of the West Side Young Mems
Christian Association in this city. Edward
Y. Hartford. the inventor Of the Hartford
self-starting and lighting system, last
week gave the first public lecture on the
interesting subject of self-starters that
has been given in this country. AS
pioneer in designing and manufacturing
self-starters for motor cars, he was able
10 give his audience q most interesting re-
view of the efforts that have been made
10 solve the problem Of starting Internal
combustion engines.
The French were the first TO try 10
build sef-starters for internal combustion
gas engines, beginning their experiments
some eight years ago." said Mr.. Hartford.
They pumped an explosive mixture into
the cylinders, but ii did not work salts
factorily Then one of the big foreign
manufacturers introduced an air starting
system, but ii proved troublesome and
was soon abandoned. There seemed little
demand for self-starters over there be-
cause almost all cars were driven by
chauffeurs.
About four years ago an American
maker put out an air starter, but when
two years later the electric starter with
its many advantages was offered on one
or two prominent cars the demand grew
into almost a storm, so that the year
1913 will go down in automobile history as
the year Of self-starters. No one seems
10 want a car without one. Much Of this
demand comes from women, who are now
beginning TO drive automobiles.
IL decided that the electric starter
which could spin a motor for half an
hour If necessary was the best for start
ing. particularly as lighting was easily
combined with it," continued Mr.. Hart
ford. THE problem to solve was that OF
getting ample power without great weight.
Agreeing with Mr.. Edison that genius in
invention is per cent inspiration and IS
per cent Precipitation, l worked for three
years perfecting a starter that would be
light in weight and yet powerful. This
rare combination j obtained by the use
Of an especially designed high speed motor
with a pound fywheel on its armature
shaft. BY the use Of the motor and
its miniature fywheel, generator for
lighting, a twelve-volt storage battery. Of
which six volts are used for lights, and q
worm gear with ratio of 100 to l. we
have a combination starting and lighting
system that is light, efficient, easily at
tached and practically fool proof.
The use of self-starters or engine start
ers is certain to increase because of the
convenience and economy in fuel con-
sumption and also in the wear on the
motor parts. The electric starter has
many advantages over others, because il
is clean, economical, convenient and OPP
crates by the mere touching Of button.
II permits starting without leaving the
seat in cold or stormy weather just as
easily as on warm day Of sunshine. It
allows restarting Immediately If the motor
should stall in crowded traffic, which adds
10 the simple operation of the car.
insurance experts tell us that the cleo
trio sef-starter is going TO make for
fewer accidents with motor cars, because
it can be operated over the danger point II
the gasolene supply fails or if the motor
stalls on railroad track or at any dan
gerous point. Moreover, il eliminates the
possibility of injury from the engine back
firing or kicking. while the advantages of
perfect illumination for night travel are
obvious.
1T makes for economy because the bat
terry upkeep is reduced, as a constant
supply OF electricity for all purposes is
furnished at all times, while economy in
gasolene and wear on the engine are adj
vantages Of an electric starter which OBJ
viate the necessity Of running the motor
constantly when the car is standing in
cold weather.
The requirements of an ideal electric
self-starter are: 1t should have maximum
power with minimum weight; il should
occupy small space on the car; it should
require small battery capacity; it should
have a device to prevent injury to starter
when motor back kicks; it should spin the
motor fast enough to start on the mag
neto; II should have few parts and require
no adjustment; 1t should be applicable to
old cars as well as new ones, and 1t
should be unfailing for starting and
lighting"