Battery Holder for Glow Plug Ignition System, Used with Gas-Powered Racing Tether Car, 1930-1950

Summary

Many tether car engines relied on glow plugs for ignition. An external battery warmed the plug to start the cycle, but once the engine was running the battery was disconnected. Each ignition kept the glow plug hot enough to cause the next explosion. This battery holder's long handle let the operator push-start a car without bending over.

Many tether car engines relied on glow plugs for ignition. An external battery warmed the plug to start the cycle, but once the engine was running the battery was disconnected. Each ignition kept the glow plug hot enough to cause the next explosion. This battery holder's long handle let the operator push-start a car without bending over.

Artifact

Holder (Container)

Date Made

1930-1950

Creators

Unknown

 On Exhibit

at Henry Ford Museum in Driven to Win: Racing in America

Object ID

2013.47.93

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Eric Zausner and the E-Z Spindizzy Foundation.

Material

Iron alloy
Plastic
Wood (Plant material)

Technique

Homemade

Dimensions

Height: 4 in

Width: 5 in

Length: 40.25 in

Weight: 1.5 lb

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