By 1916 universal joints had been around for a while. Model T Fords had them from the start. It was a cheap way to get to get gear reduction, a heavy duty axle, and not use a weak universal joint.

Call it 718 12th Street NW. The columned and quoined building is still there, but now there's a cool Art Deco building next to it.

That Mona Lisa smile on the lady sitting over the rear wheel intrigues me, unfortunately I'm 93 years or so late....

As recently as 10 or 15 years ago my father had a chain-drive GMC, got it in Mexico. Worked like a charm although the chain would rattle a bit when you really stepped on the gas (or diesel -- cannot actually remember that part).

I actually own a muff with collar to match but for me it was a fashion statement since it meant you couldn't use your hands for normal activities such as driving a car, scratching your ear, whatever. Mine doubles as a purse with a small pocket inside and probably these do too.

As an aside, there are more truly beautiful women in this picture than so many shown previously. A great photo!

If you don't need your hands to be free, a muff would be a lot warmer than gloves, because your hands have each other's body heat to keep them warm.

I love the variety in the ladies' hats. Broad brims, narrow brims, no brims, high crowns, low crowns, flower trim, ribbon trim, no trim, and just for fun (and warmth) the floppy, bepomponned number at the far right.

Both wheels were chain driven. There was a differential assembly right behind or attached to the transmission. Using chain drive eliminated the need for a drive shaft and universal joints which probably hadn't been perfected yet. At the speed these trucks operated, the chain drive would work ok.

I'm interested in the chain drive on the truck.
How common was that? Were both rear wheels driven?
Was there a differential to allow for turning corners?

Most of these women have giant muffs (not the British sense of the word). Were fur-lined gloves not available at that time? And in the catagory of "What was she thinking?" why is the woman in front wearing a flattened jester hat?