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Gutter Ball: 1916
Submitted by Dave on Mon, 07/01/2013 - 7:58pm.
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February 4, 1916. Washington, D.C. "Auto wreck at 14th & T," under a light dusting of snow and mold. Continuing the thread of vehicular mayhem we started earlier today. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.
The Good News...
Submitted by BruceAllen on Tue, 07/09/2013 - 3:43pm.
They didn't have to go very far to hire a new car!
Front Tire Chain Explanation
Submitted by bigguy1960 on Tue, 07/02/2013 - 8:45am.
Its easy to see why the tire chain is only on the left front tire - the tire is bald! The rear tires still have tread, but trying to steer with a smooth front tire would be nearly impossible. Its also on the wheel which is attached directly to the steering gear.
At least
Submitted by switzarch on Mon, 07/01/2013 - 11:22pm.
Those beautiful side lamps can be salvaged. Amazing to read that clipping and realize that no one in either car was seriously injured.
The Chauffeur was Fined $20
Submitted by AndyHall on Mon, 07/01/2013 - 11:06pm.
From the Washington Evening Star, February 4, 1916:
The Building
Submitted by John Goldfarb on Mon, 07/01/2013 - 10:51pm.
Seems to be pretty much intact under the ugly red paint. The decorative facade is still visible. I'm not sure about the 3 stacked bowling balls and pin. I think I see them when I move in front of the building but it's hard to get a good view through the tree and shadows.
Beware
Submitted by Rip Tragle on Mon, 07/01/2013 - 10:47pm.
The tree huggers are going to raise Hell.
Learning experience
Submitted by JohnHoward on Mon, 07/01/2013 - 10:14pm.
February 5, 1916: When auto mechanics began to tell customers that the chains should be on the rear tires.
Glass and chains
Submitted by Bill_Landau on Mon, 07/01/2013 - 9:46pm.
Auto safety glass was a *huge* advance - considering no seat belts, either.
Interesting that the chains are on the front wheels. In my early driving years, before snow tires, the chains on passenger cars went on the rear wheels, for propulsion. I do remember fire trucks and police cars with chains front and rear....
Chains
Submitted by mailman7777777 on Mon, 07/01/2013 - 9:43pm.
Weren't those cars rear wheel drive? Why put chains only on the front tires?
Terrifying
Submitted by davidk on Mon, 07/01/2013 - 8:57pm.
Two features about this wreck as well as the earlier one that scare me witless: the body torn right off the chassis (which, if wooden, disintegrates), and the shards of windshield glass.
How fortunate for the driver
Submitted by Vintagetvs on Mon, 07/01/2013 - 8:30pm.
there was a car rental place just a few steps away.
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Shorpy.com | History in HD is a vintage photo blog featuring thousands of high-definition images from the 1850s to 1950s. The site is named after Shorpy Higginbotham, a teenage coal miner who lived 100 years ago.
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