650 Triumph, features for 1950

 

Steam tugboats

 Steam tug Pioneer among the squareriggers it guided to moorings at Port Gamble lumber mills in Puget Sound. Makes me wonder, how did these ungainly cargo vessels negotiate harbours and docks before tugboats?

 

Rolls Royce steak delivery

Car Collector magazine, Mar 1990

 Two of these unique refrigerated vehicles were constructed for the Gilbert Sirloin Store for local meat delivery in Rhode Island. They were apparently based on Rolls Royce chassis from the Springfield Mass factory. The body builder and dates are unknown but they seem to have been retired during WW2 as gas rationing came into play. No information online about these trucks or the store.

Schollhorn Company Lodi cutting pliers

These pliers feature the parallel action handle designed by W. B. Bernard shown in Patent No. 427,220. These cutting pliers were patented in Sept 25, 1894 and Nov 6, 1900. Patent 526480

 The Schollhorn company was founded by William B. Bernard in 1870 in New Haven, Connecticut, the company was active until being sold to the Sargent Co. in 1948. According to the history at Alloy Artifacts, W.B. Bernard had many patents with the Schollhorn company and was variously listed as engineer and salesman, even the vice president. 

1936 Bentley Airflow Saloon

 After those giant "truck-like" racers of the twenties, Bentley made elegant things like this car in the thirties.

 I'd drive a Bentley like this.. 

Monday Mystery meter

 The scale is in volts, there appears to be a resistance coil of sorts between what I assume to be the fixed probes so what is this meter for? I was pleased to find the company is still in business, making meters that don't look like this.

 

My, what big teeth you have...

 This tool looks a lot more exciting than it actually is, the head of a carpet stretcher.

Sidecar Sunday

D H Davidson with unnamed passenger (as always).

 

Cooper's bung borer

A tool for making holes in barrels. Can't make out the lettering on the handle unfortunately.

 

3D sander

This is a unique design for a palm sander, looks useful for uneven surfaces. Never seen one in person before, it must not have been a sales success.

 

La Moto 1922

 

Bruning electric eraser

 I've made a lot of mistakes in my time, but not enough to justify a power eraser!

Transporting the future, Eames Tandem Sling Seating

  How do you transport a multi-seat bench for a waiting room? This sleek. modern aluminum and nylon airport seating system was introduced in 1962 by designers Charles and Ray Eames. The method of transport is more down to earth and not near as modern. 

Rain King D-1 sprinkler

 These common-item type devices were so much more interesting before plastic was invented. This 1932 patent lawn sprinkler is largely made of cast iron and brass.

Patent 1883264 applies to the design of the sprinkler nozzle, and is assigned to HORACE C. WRIGHT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNED TO CHICAGO FLEXIBLE SHAFT COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ELINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS ADJUSTABLE NOZZLE 

W P Carter

A small (4" long) S wrench with W P Carter stamped on both sides and the letters EVO. After finding nothing online, I'm guessing maybe Mr. Carter was just making sure he didn't lose his tools?

 

Norton Motors North America, 1948

If you wanted a Norton over here postwar, you had to talk to Mr. McGill, even if you were in the USA. 

Motorcycles on album covers, Loverboy

 If you're a certain age you'll remember such songs as

 "Turn Me Loose" and "Working for the Weekend"... 

(Thanks Anon)

Sta-kon terminal tool

  Quality crimp connectors need a quality crimper. This Thomas and Betts solderless connector system has been around since the mid-fifties, the company has been in the electrical connector business since 1898. Thomas and Betts was bought by the ABB Group in 2012. More on the crimp connectors here. 

Thomas and Betts are also known for their invention of the ubiquitous plastic cable tie in 1958.

 

Wyandotte dump truck

Another job you may not want to do; Itinerant tinker

  A tinker was a metal worker who travelled around repairing pots and pans and other household items. This photo was taken in 1940 near Kysuce, Slovakia. This man is wearing the traditional linen shirt and heavy felt pants. He walked around the countryside carrying a bag of tools and a roll of wire, working where needed.

Sidecar Sunday

 Ridiculous helmets...

Little old multitool

 No name on it but I expect it's a special tool for some sort of machine like a cream separator or something. About 5 inches long, buy it for the sculptural qualities.

 

Saab 900

Just another Saab story (as they say). Still going strong. Looks like a survivor not a restore... 

Previous post.

 

B & H Footshift

 From 1948...

Discussion on the device here.

 

Maytag engine fuel mixing can

Today I learned that those lovely little Maytag washing machine twins (and single cylinders) were two stroke!

 

Melker adjustable wrench

 Another German manufacturer! Here's a Melker monkey wrench dating from, at a guess, 1900-1920ish... There are a few for sale online but no company info online that I can find.

Speed records, 1955

 Messerschmitt Kabinenroller on route to 3 speed records for sub-250 three wheelers. The modified 200 cc Sachs motor powered this machine to a blistering speed of 65.75 mph over 1000 miles, 65.24 over 2000 km and 64.03 for 24 hours. The driver's name is not mentioned. 

Here's an account of the event (in German).

Know your 1960s snowmobile maintenance

 They left out the pull cord check. It doesn't matter, you'll probably get stranded no matter what you do. Why do I want one?

Gee Dee multi-tool

 This is a "Gee Dee" German-made "multi-tool" - in all its glory - the handle is hollow. The head of the hammer unscrews from the handle, and those "bits" are stored inside the handle. Clearly a quality tool set for the professional. 

Thanks, BK!

 

The land that time forgot

 Snapped last summer... suddenly it's 1975...