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Traction Wheel Model

Traction Wheel Model - Model
Accession #: 3734.3
Title: Traction Wheel Model
Object Type: Model
Participants:
Physical Description: "Wheel Barrow"-like demonstration model of the square traction wheel.
Description: Royal Riblet personified the American spirit of invention. He and his brother Byron made aerial tramway parts in British Columbia until parting ways; Byron's company grew with the downhill ski industry and still produces chairlifts today. From designing movable scaffolds to more-efficient irrigation sprinklers, Royal Riblet never stopped tinkering. He designed improvements for early automobiles such as thermoelectric indicators and directional signals. Worsening downtown parking problems in 1950s Spokane inspired him to design an all-mechanical parking garage system using lifts instead of ramps. His square tractor wheel never sold, as its 100 moving parts cost too much for mainstream manufacturing. One of his inventions ferried his family to Eagle's Nest, their fully electrified home high on a cliff above the Spokane River.
Category: History
Subjects/Topics/Concepts:
Technology (Tools & Equipment)
Dimensions:
Object H x W x D 17 x 38 x 24 "
Materials/Techniques:
wood (Material)
metal (Material)
Related Exhibits:
Credit Line: Gift of David Mielke and Harold Mielke, 1994

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