1950s Adcock and Shipley Universal Machine Tool - photos

[Ed Weldon]

Reference British creativity in machine design --- Years ago I worked with a bright metallurgist who was into old Jaguars. A favorite yarn of his was: "If you ask your average engineer to grab his right earlobe he will reach up with his right hand. But if you ask the same of a British automotive engineer he will reach over the top of his head with his left hand to make the grab." (Best demonstrated in person rather than explained in print.).
Another observation of British engineering from a century past ........ I still don't understand why all their steam locomotives had the cylinders inside the frame rails under the boiler. And then we cannot fail to mention the Arcs and Sparks department and Lucas, the Prince of Darkness.
I think I can get away with such ignobilities being able to trace my lineage back to one of Henry XIII's head chefs (or whatever they were called in the 17th century.)
But there are many things British I admire. I once had access to a Myford Super7 lathe. What a jewel! And back to the category of things automotive my vote for the triumph automotive accomplishment per unit of engineering input, the hill climb racer "Bloody Mary" with its twin JAP motorcycle engines and wood frame, is unmatched. And I can't fail to mention the category of absurd English mechanical contrivances that actually worked, the Frazer-Nash chain-gang transmission, which included a reverse "gear".