Automotive differential video tutorial from the 1930's (GM produced) 2

[John2004]

I stumbled across this GM produced auto-differential video tutorial online, and I thought it was kind of interesting. It's a "Jam Handy" production, who I think produced other videos of this type.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4JhruinbWc

Aside from my general interest in seeing something this old, what I found interesting is the quality & detail of the explanation. Once you get past the introduction with the motorcycles, it is a great tutorial on the principle of a differential.

I wish more instructional videos with this type of quality and detail were produced today because they would go a long way towards helping students (or people who just have a general interest in the subject matter) completely understand a topic. This more detailed and clear approach could be applied to almost any subject, not just mechanics.

I like looking through older books as well and I've felt at times that older books from the late 1800's to mid 1900's do a better job of explaining certain concepts and forming a solid understanding of basic principles, than many modern books I have read.

I have felt at times that the authors of some textbooks are more concerned with trying to show the world how smart they are or impress their peers, than with teaching.

Anyway, I just thought it was kind of neat to see something this old and thought I would pass it along.

John

 

[byrdj]

THANKs

Joe

 

[Ron]

That was awesome! I agree... if those were produced today, the kids in design would have a much better understanding. That was well done.

 

[patprimmer]

The problem is, marketing departments ask what's in it for us before they produce literature that serves the common good which is I guess one drawback of the free enterprise, market driven system.

Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376 for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm

for site rules

 

[Artisi]

Great explanation, it's a shame that a lot more engineering as well as other concepts are not given the same treatment, just reinforces the concept of KISS - Keep It Simple and Specific.

 

[arunmrao]

Thanks for sharing. Great explanation,presented in such a simple manner.


If you think education is expensive, try Ignorance.
- Andy McIntyre


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[rmw]

Thanks for the warning about the motorcycles. If you hadn't said that I would have clicked out before I got to the meat of the film. I don't think it could have been any more well done. Based on the music, these films were what showed in the movie houses before the main feature. Too bad those kinds of things don't exist today to enlighten folks as to what their world is all about.

rmw

 

[SomptingGuy]

Great video. I made diffs for my Meccano cars as a kid, based on the descriptions/pictures in the "How It Works" series my Dad bought in the 1970's.

- Steve

 

[Ron]

Pat,
I doubt this was produced by the marketing group at GM. More likely the engineers had the say in this one.

I agree that has changed over the years. When I was in the "corporate world" our marketing people would routinely produce crap and promise things we couldn't deliver ethically...we could deliver, them just not in the manner THEY conveyed to our clients. Sometimes they promised things there's no way in hell we could deliver.

Ron