Bendix Mechanical Three Shoe drum brakes, 1920s

 This 3 shoe system seems like a complicated way to get improved braking power, but hydraulic actuated systems first introduced in 1921 were not yet universally trusted.

  In last Monday's Mystery we showed a poster with the title "Mechanical brakes" with diagrams of 3 shoe and 2 shoe brakes along with a Porsche-like car with mechanical brakes. Through the generosity of readers I have a manual on the Bendix Three Shoe mechanical brake of the late 1920s (part of which is reproduced below). The post raised more questions than answers!
 This system  was used on the following cars, all American.
            Lever Control Type, Also used on the Following Cars:

Durant 1928 Erskine to 1930 Studebaker Dictator (some) Studebaker President 8 (some) Oldsmobile 6 prior to F30 Pierce-Arrow (8 Cyl)

Hupmobile 6 (1926-1927) Marmon 68 78 Essex to 1929 Studebaker Commander (some) Falcon Knight Star 4 and 6

As far as we can tell, there is no evidence of the Bendix system being used in Europe, but if someone knows different please let us know. The illustrations below differ enough from the poster that I don't think they're the same system. 
More here.

If someone needs the rest of the manual, I'll happily send it all on.

 thanks, JP

thanks, Vector Warbirds.