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San Francisco in 1920. "Federal truck -- Van Arsdale-Harris Lumber Co., Fifth and Brannan." 5x7 glass negative by Christopher Helin. View full size.
Those turnbuckles are for lumber support. Helps keep the truck from having back problems.
At this time clocks were still mechanical because you couldn't count on the accuracy of the 60 cycle frequency of AC to keep electric clocks accurate. Instead, they either used batteries or AC to run a motor that would wind the clock when the running weight got to the bottom (think grandfather clocks).
In my neck of the woods they were referred to as hog rods. They were frequently used in old wood-framed buildings as primary roof supports. I believe they were employed in Mississippi/Missouri River steamboats before railroad freight cars. They were oriented oppositely to those in freight cars and prevented the boat's hulls from hogging, i.e., bending upward in the middle. See The Western Rivers Steamboat Cyclopoedium by Alan L. Bates.
A very interesting location to place a pendulum clock. You can see the hinges where It could be opened up and wound or adjusted. I wonder if the case still contained the original works when the photo was taken, or if the clock had been swapped out for one powered by electricity.
I hope the driver tightens down the rope before beginning his delivery as it does not seem very taut.
So this Federal truck has none. We also like the freight car style turnbuckle trusses under the frame, certainly overkill for the wimpy lumber load we see here.
Perhaps not worth posting but I laughed at my own joke. Sorry!
Is the present occupant. The high pressure hydrant on the other side of Brannan St was likely moved when they widened the street.
A 1912 ad in the "San Francisco Call" shows "White Brothers," a lumber company, at Fifth and Brannan.
Disappointed by reality, once again.
why the L do you want to know now?
PLEASE! Anybody know what comes after the E?
[So to speak. - Dave]
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