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Thursday, May 21, 2009

MAY 21, 2009 IN 1924 THE THINGS WE COULD THINK OF WERE AMAZING!

       
       
       
MAY 21, 2009
 IN 1924
 THE THINGS
WE COULD THINK OF WERE AMAZING!

  
     
The M29 Weasel
I received an email with a link to a video, that captured my attention completely! So I thought if I was intrigued some of you might also like to see it,  with that thought in mind, I am presenting it to you today.

 In 1924 we had something in this country that is so sadly lacking today.
In a time of microwave instantaneous material possession, which quality does not enter into the equation, this video of a machine invented by Armstead Motors is pretty special indeed.
Here is a little of the background on the machine which eventually became the prototype for something the army used in WWII and is still using today.
SOURCE:Wikipedia
In the 1920s the Armstead Snow Motor was developed. When this was used to convert a Fordson tractor into a screw propelled vehicle with a single pair of cylinders; the combination became known as the Fordson Snow Devil. A film was made to show the capabilities of the vehicle as well as a Chevrolet car fitted with an Armstead Snow Motor. The film clearly shows that the vehicle copes well in snow. Steering was effected by having each cylinder receive power from a separate clutch which, depending on the position of the steering gear, engages and disengages; this results in a vehicle that is relatively manoeuvrable. The promotional film shows the Armstead snow motor hauling 20 tons of logs.
In January 1926, Time magazine reported:
       Having used the motor car for almost every other conceivable purpose, leading Detroit automobile makers have now organized a company entitled "Snow Motors Inc.," to put out a machine which will negotiate the deepest snowdrifts at six to eight miles an hour. The new car will consist of a Ford tractor power-plant mounted on two revolving cylinders instead of wheels—something on the order of a steam roller.
 The machine has already proved its usefulness in deep snow previously unnavigable. One such machine has done the work which formerly required three teams. In Oregon a stage line uses a snow motor in its two daily round trips over the Mackenzie Pass between Eugene and Bend. Orders are already in hand from Canada, Norway, Sweden, and Alaska.
 The Hudson Bay Co. has ordered a supply to maintain communications with its most northern fur-trading stations. The Royal Northwest Mounted Police have also gone into the market for snow motors, and may cease to be horsemen and become chauffeurs, to the deep regret of cinema people.
 A number of prominent motor makers have also been interested in the proposition from the angle of adapting the snow motors equipment to their ordinary models. Hudson, Dodge and Chevrolet are mentioned especially as interested in practical possibilities along this line.
 
Armstead Snow Motors from Seeking Michigan on Vimeo.
  This is a 16mm demo film of the Armstead Snow Motors Company concept snow vehicle,  filmed in 1924. There is no sound with this video.
The concept is applied to a Fordson tractor and a Chevrolet automobile. The original film is part of the collections of the Archives of Michigan.
See the original patent at:
 Patent of Armstead Weasel
 To See Video Origin Click Here

lockerridge
  
   
   

11 comments:

  1. wow.........wonder if they have one for sand?

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  2. Yeah this is the beginning of things like the tank in the army and the bulldozer .. things that run on tracks.. I think it is pretty cool how they have it made so you can put tires on it in the summer time... These folks were thinking.. economy and usefulness .. you buy one vehicle.. you can use it for a tractor, a snow plow, or a car.. including a four wheel drive type capability.. this is awesome!

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  3. That was so cool terri i had no idea they ever made that Snow Motor! The Fordson ie Henry and son Edsel was quite a tractor it revolutionized the world it also ran on kerosene . That was cool!

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  4. That is Michigan alright - look how deep the f'in snow is!

    That things is cool - I could so use that to tear up my neighbors lawn....

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  5. It just blows my mind WHY some inventions were not (are not used)

    This would be so fantastic.. To think of all the lives lost during snow and ice because the vehicle was out of control.

    I have too many reason and whys and gripes about this. Should be adapted to an auto and semi.

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  6. I have a friend I met on the internet and he sends me all of these goodies that he digs up on his surfing time.. The only reason I can think of that it was never really put into production was the war started and the US went into war manufacturing mode and rationing.

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  7. Okay there you have it.. the number one reason it was never mass produced.. lol.. you nut!

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  8. Well if people only had to buy one vehicle to do it all.. think of the lost sales in the individual selling of tractors, trucks, cars, and the ever popular snow mobiles!
    I think maybe when the army adapted it to become the tank.. they stopped trying to put it into everyday home life.. and proceeded with heavy machinery, like bulldozers and backhoes .. stuff to do heavy construction with.. you see it would have been too nice for us to have one car that does it all.. so we can't have that in the USA!

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  9. I'm in awe over this machine. I enjoyed the video so much. What a shame this machine isn't used today. Great post, Terri.

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  10. wow... I'm imaging my daughter using this for her road test. We go out practicing this weekend and she takes the test later this week... mmm... I wonder if it comes with a second steering wheel and extra brakes (^.~) Love this post.

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