Transportation T & E: Locomobile ignition switch

Transportation T & E: Locomobile ignition switch

Starter


October 25 1925
Ignition switch or starter made for the Locomobile Company of America made by Bryant Electric.  It was made well after Locomobile's heyday, after the company was bought by Durant Motors in 1922.  The circular black encasement includes the name "Locomobile" at the top.  A key is still in the switch above the word, and two gauges are on either side to help indicate what is on and what is off.  Prior to 1920 automobiles had to be hand-cranked to turn over the engine and start the car. This ignition invention was designed to make starting an automobile simple for the driver, since the hand cranking required strength and also put the person at risk of injury.

The starter was x-rayed by students from Quinnipiac University.   They also x-rayed our similar ignition switch made for Rolls Royce, and the images were compared.
2001.005.017
Locomobile Company of America