Catapulted Dummy Tests Driver’s Skill

This would be a useful addition in ALL driver's ed courses, especially if the driver was given no warning. From Popular Science, Aug 1935:

So that the driver of a radio car will know what to do if someone darts across a street in front of his speeding machine, instructors of a police school at Hendon, England have devised an ingenious training method. The student is required to drive along a test course, and at some unannounced point a concealed catapult hurls a stuffed dummy in front of the car. Observers rate the driver on his ability to stop or swerve in time to avoid hitting the pedestrian. The catapult is operated by a spring, and a jerk on a rope releases its trigger. All drivers of London's police cars receive this training.

Books Selected and endorsed for Pure Weirdness by Your WU Team

Who We Are
Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over forty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. Contact Us

Posted By: Alex - Thu Feb 12, 2009
Category: Cops | Motor Vehicles | Cars | 1930s

Comments

No Dirty Jake, it's a prerequisite for being a cop.

Posted by Madd Maxx on 02/12/09 at 08:06 AM

Is "Jerk on a Rope" similar to "Soap on a Rope" or "Dope on a Rope"?

Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 02/12/09 at 08:35 AM

No Expat, it's closer to a "Freak on a Leash"

Posted by DownCrisis on 02/12/09 at 08:37 AM

Thanks DC. I thought it was about getting catapulted into the main stream.

Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 02/12/09 at 09:08 AM

Nothing is ever mainstream around here. And that's why we like it!

:lol:

Posted by DownCrisis on 02/12/09 at 11:19 AM

Commenting is not available in this channel entry.