REMARKABLE INVENTION

Evening Star, Issue 22453, 25 September 1936, Page 12

REMARKABLE INVENTION

MOTOR GAR MADE FOOL-PROOF LOCAL DEMONSTRATION Filleul street was the scene of' what might almost .be called uncanny doings yesterday afternoon. There was no witch’s cauldron, certainly, but there was a- motor car in and about which various and sundry “gadgets” had been fixed with, as one might say, ulterior motives, for an innocent-look-ing bulb here, a small electric fan there, a pad of neat but comfortable appearance somewhere else—all these at first sight gave no indication ot their connection with unseen wires and other contrivances, or of their consequent complicity in a synchronised scheme for setting things .going, or stoppng the whole show, or tor making noises and flashing lights in a fashion that could be regarded as startling, or at any rate astonishing. Yet, when explained by the inventor, Professor L. C. Galli, these contrivances appeared to be perfectly simple, just as they had every appearance of being simply perfect. Nevertheless, the effects produced still aroused astonishment. And the whole thing had been contrived with a view to minimising road accidents. It is generally admitted, and has frequently been proved, that drivers of motor vehicles do occasionally become weary and drowsy at the wheel; somts_ have been known to faint while driving; others ■ now and again have been known to endeavour to keep their good spirits up by putting good spirits down. Then there are, admittedly, a small tribe known as “ road hogs,” who disregard the comfort, and even the lives, of others in their thirst for speed. Well, Professor Galli’s invention, it is claimed, promptly and completely adjusts these dangers; puts the speed maniac out of court (or rather convicts him before he gets to court), and makes generally for good traffic control and for clean, safe, enjoyable motoring. How is it done? Well, the pad that has been mentioned is, as it were, the “king pin ” of the chief device. The driver’s knee rests lightly and comfortably against this just so Jong as he is alert and capable of driving properly. Let him “ droop,” however, or become faint, and the knee pressure is removed. Then, what happens? Quite a lot. The movement of the delicate “ plunger ” completes the circuit; the ignition is cut out, and this acts as a brake on the car. Next, all the other appliances wake up and come into action—the horn toots, a bell rings, a light flashes in a bulb at the rear of the car, another at the front; an electric fan sends out a stream of air calculated to clear away any carbon monoxide or other foul "as or air. And, if this is not enough, a spray comes into operation, sending reviving fumes on to the driver’s face. Above all, the brakes are quckly, but not jerkily, applied, and there are the car and the driver warning all the world of their predicament. Of course, if the driver recovers quickly, the making-up process is but momentary, and his case, like that of (he immortal Flanagan, is just one of “ on again —off again—on again.” plementary, or second device which is plementary, or seond device which is calculated to give ample warning to the driver himself, as well as to the traffic' policeman and the unwary pedestrian, that the vehicle is being

driven at a speed that is ” a bit over the,odds.” For instance, when the limit is 30 miles per hour, the speedometer attachment is “ set ” at that figure—by the manufacturer, not by the motorist—and when the indicator shows, 'say, 31 miles per hour, a small bulb on the dashboard lights up. This is for the information ’of , the driver, _ of course; lor the information of the world at large a signal am rises from the roof of the car. In districts or areas where there is no speed limit this “ one-arm ” car is guiltless: but when the speed reaches 45 m.p.h. or more a second arm shoots up, and then, if anything happens; well——. It is surely only the speed-crazy whose objections will be raised simultaneously with the signal-arms, so to speak. Anyhow, if there is still any question of doubt as to the speed, a tell-tale attachment, secreted in a sealed cylinder, may be brought to light, for upon it the moving finger has written, and the motorist’s tears or wit cannot wash out a word, or rather « figure, of it. The speed has been automatically recorded on a strip of paper, and that, as the saying is, is that. Even those elusive persons who have, by recent legislation, been “ promoted ’’ from the ranks of “ converters ” to those of thieves have not been overlooked by Professor Galli, for, by a further attachment, which grips and locks the plunger aforesaid, the car is rendered absolutely thief-proof. Or, if the would-be thief imagines that, by tampering with any wire connecting bell or horn, he may, like the Arabs, silently steal away, he is again baulked in his desires, for his action has rendered the car incapable of being moved. There is no doubt that these devices are most ingeniously contrived, and Professor Galli, who, though Italian born, regards himself, after many years’ residence here, as a New Zealander, is genuinely anxious that this Dominion should lead the way onoe more in matters of humanitarian import, and he has expressed his willingness to co-ope-rate with the Government in any way that will bring this about. His chief aim, be asserts, is not merely to make a lot of money out of his invention (which, by the way, is not Toy any means the only invention he has to his credit), but to help to save and protect human life. The time would appear most opportune for the adoption of some such devices as these of Professor Galli, and it is understood that they have already been brought under the notice of the Minister of Transport (Hon. R. Semple).. Watching the demonstration yesterday were a number of civic officials and other citizens, among them being the town clerk (Mr G. A. Lewin, C.M.G.), the chairman of the General Committee of the City Council (Cf A. H. Allen), the tramways manager (Mr W. H. MacKenzie). the tramways engineer (Mr W. D. Richards), the chief traffic inspector • (Mr H. S. M'Nicoll) and members of his staff, and Mr E. J. Anderson (representing the Otago Automobile Association). Several other citizens also assembled to watch the proceedings. “ What do you think of it all? ” asked one bystander of another. “ Sort of ‘ Arabian (Sights ’ touch, I reckon,” was the reply. And they left it at that, but the official ami semi-official witnesses were obviously impressed in a different way with the practical aspect of the devices, and probably with the possibility of sonic easing of official cares if the use of the “ gadgets ” becomes compulsory.