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Royal Riblet's Pigeon Hole Parking System Model

Royal Riblet's Pigeon Hole Parking System Model - Model
Accession #: 3734.1
Title: Royal Riblet's Pigeon Hole Parking System Model
Object Type: Model
Participants:
Physical Description: Mechanical parking garage model made of wood, metal and string. The central section moves up and down with a mechanical pulley and geared wheel device. There are three parts to the model, a wheeled base (part a), a separate decorative wood entrance/exit that reads "Garage Mechanical Parking" (part b), and a separate metal parking structure.
Description: Escalating downtown Spokane parking problems inspired local inventor Royal Riblet to design an all-mechanical Pigeon Hole Parking System in the 1950s. His use of lifts instead of ramps even influenced New York City compact parking designs. Riblet exemplified technological innovation, an American hallmark, applying for over 20 patents, including a square traction wheel and automobile thermoelectric indicator. His brother Byron created the Riblet Tramway Company that still manufactures ski lifts.
Category: History
Subjects/Topics/Concepts:
Transportation (Tools & Equipment)
Dimensions:
height 68 1/8"
width 52 15/16"
depth 17"
Materials/Techniques:
wood (plant material) (Material)
string (fiber product) (Material)
metal ( -> -> ) (Material)
Related Exhibits:
Credit Line: Gift of Mr. David Mielke and Mr. Harold Mielke

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