HIGHEST SPEED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 179, 30 June 1937, Page 10

HIGHEST SPEED

LIMITS OF MAX’S EFFORT. C.S. EXPERIMENT. The forecast that 600 m.p.li. is likely to prove the highest speed attainable by a man-carrying aeroplane, made by the president of the Royal Aeronautical Society, calls attention to the fact that in quite a number of directions man is now approaching the limit of possible performance, says the science correspondent of the London Morning Post. These limits include:— Height attainable without special clothing or protection; engine efficiency ; accuracy of time measurement; and the approach to the “absolute zero” of temperature—the condition in which no material would be left with any heat in it. In all these directions man is rapidly attaining to the position of the elephant in the animal kingdom. According to Dr. Julian Huxley’s calculations the elephant has evolved to very nearly the limit of size which four legs made of bone and flesh can efficiently support. So far as height is concerned, tho “theoretical limit” has been slightly exceeded. Physiologists have calculated that, even breathing pure oxygen, an average fit man might be expected to faint at 46,000 ft owing to the reduced pressure. The Italian airman, Donati, an exceptionally fit man, flew 1360 ft higher, with no other form of protection, but was greatly distressed on landing. All subsequent attempts on the height record have been made with special “pressure suits,” and it is unlikely that the risk which Donati ran will again be taken. CON AVERSION OF ENERGY. AVith any form of engine there is a limit to the proportion of the fuel energy—whether from coal, oil, or gas —which can be converted into mechanical energy. In any normal type of engine the theoretical efficiency works out at not more than about 40 to 45 per cent. Steam generating plant at the Brimsdown electricity generating station in this country has lately been working at 32 per cent, efficiency, compared with a theoretical limit of slightly over 40 per cent, for the plant in question. This margin represents tho entire scope for improvement. Still higher efficiencies have been attained with Diesel engines, the best being apparently 38.8 per cent, in an experimental engine produced by the R.A.F. An attempt to surpass the limit for other types of engine has, however, been made ill the United States. Here a mercury engine has been built which gossesses certain theoretical advantages. iut owing to the high cost of mercury, and the poisonous character of mercury vapour, virtually no economic advantage appears to have been secured. In the approach to the “absolute zero” of temperature the best achievement is that of Professor de Haas and Dr. AViersma, of Holland. They have been able to get within .003 degrees of the limit, which conies at about —459.7 degrees Fahrenheit.

CAUSE OF CAR FATALITIES. “A change in the power and design of cars, to protect the reckless motorist against his own folly, appears to hold out the only possible hope of solution,” says the report of the Accident Prevention Conference of the United States Department of Commerce. A study of the 36,575 motor Natalities which occurred in the United States in 1936, reveals that the outstanding cause of death was high speed, the report states. The majority ol the deaths occurred in rural areas. In stating this conclusion, the report adds: “In some sections, liquor was a factor, but it is only lair to state that there is no evidence of drunken driving being materially on the increase. “AVhat is happening is that ears are being driven at night in rural sections too fast for lighting conditions. The average car to-day is capable of a speed of from 70 to 100 miles an hour, and speeds of from 60 to 80 miles an hour are not uncommon in rural night driving. These are unsafe speeds, and are the causes of most rural night fatalities.” The conference urges the automotive industry to take united action to eliminate “outstanding accident hazards.” “\Ye feel,” it adds, “that automotive executives will recognise that a correction originating within the industry, and voluntarily put into effect, will receive general approval, just as we are certain that the industry is conscious of the fact that public opinion is being increasingly wrought up over the large numbers of high-speed fatalities, and demands action. “\Ye believe such voluntary action will be more effective than compulsory action from other sources, which a growingly impatient public would demand.” “CARELESSNESS OF PEDESTRIANS.” Alter stating that the greater number of city accidents are due to “the carelessness of the pedestrians,” the report adds: “Compulsory and regular inspection of cars, as well as the compulsory junking of dangerous, worn-out ears, would add to the general safety.” “Many authorities contend, however, and apparently with evidence to support their contentions, that old, but sound, cars, unable to make high speeds, are loss likely to become involved in accidents than the new ears, with their many temptations to go fast.”