Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-25
MOTORISTS CASTLES OF AIR
SPEED AUTO INDUSTRY GROWTH
improvements Taken for Granted by Pub
lie as New Dreams Spur Engineers
to Action.

| When dreams come true apparently
| the motoring public assumes a blase
attitude and goss ahead building newer
and more elaborate air castles. Plain
evidence Of this is found in the cold,
matter of fact way many of the new
features in car design and construction
are being received.
Realities have been pouring in upon
motordom at an unprecedented rate,
but without making a ripple. What
actually is commonplace in cars today
would have been considered fanciful 10
years ago, so rapid is the pace of prog
ress. Developments such as puncture-
proof tires and non-scattering glass APP
pear to be taken for granted, although
their development is as recent as tele-
vision.
Use Anticipated.
Ever since ball and roller bearings
came into existence motorists have
wondered why these could not be used
successfully to support the engine
crankshaft. The idea fired the imagi-
nations of many a prophet, but now
/ that one car actually offers this feature
enthusiasm has turned to ashes. Even
ball-bearing braking systems are taken
for granted.
For years car owners have complained
because their batteries overcharged on
long trips. Something ought to be
done about it," many said. Thousands
of batteries were put out of commission
annually because their parched cells
, broke down on the Summer tour. Head
lights were wasted in a make-shift plan
of trying to prevent overcharging. Now,
however, the situation is different.
Those who drive cars with voltage reg
ulated generators take the convenience
of battery relief without comment.
Those who could easily make the change
to a generator of the bstter type have
to be encouraged through the siren sug-
gestions of high-preSSure salesman.
Clutch Improvement.
Even the idea of being able to shift
from second to high, or vice versa, with
out pressing the clutch pedal to the
floor seems to be taken lightly. Those
who dreamed of such a development in
the earlier days would have been looked
upon with suspicion.
Has the average motoriSt become sur
feited with outstanding Improvements?
Has he come to expect anything OF the
resourceful men who make the auto
mobile what it is? Will his present
attitude impede further progress in the
development OF the autOmoblle?
Keen observers of the situation an
swer such speculations with decisive
NO"
While affirmative answers may seem
to be suggested by the puolic's attitude,
they say the fact of the matter is the
motorist is so keenly aware of the fur
ther need for improvement that he con-
stantly thinks many years ahead. He
does not want to see the engineers too
content with their achievements. He
foresees further progress as the COM
bined result of his own demands plus
the engineers recognition that fame
lies in striving rather than in achieve
ment.
Starter Changes.
Kettering might have rested on his
laurels when he perfected the self
starter, that great boon to automobiling
Instead he has created long success
sion of improvements, and today looks
| forward as hopefully TO revolutionary
changes as the busiest builder of air
castles. Most of the leaders in car de-
velopment know that the instant any
! improvement is sponsored by any repu-
table manufacturer it is part and parcel