Abstract
WE have received from Science Service interesting accounts of the meetings of the Society of Automotive Engineers held in Chicago during the past summer. Dr. F. A. Moss, of George Washington University, was of opinion that considerations of health would govern largely the design of motor-cars in the future. In particular he laid stress on the nature of the air inside the car, on the strain on the eyes of the driver and on his posture. Improvements in these respects will well repay the industry. The air condition inside the car should be thoroughly tested to find out the amount of carbon monoxide at various positions and also to measure the draught. In his opinion, control of the temperature and humidity inside a closed car would do much to improve the health of the occupants. Statistics prove that after a long journey accidents are more likely to occur. Dr. Moss attributes this mainly to eye strain. Tests with various types and makes of car show that prolonged driving leads to a great decrease in visual acuity, particularly after a distance of about 400 miles. Bodily posture, governed by seat design, is an important factor in the health and safety of the driver. No researches have been published on this point and it is worth investigating. Some attention might also be paid to the question of whether hard cushions or soft cushions are the best, and to the relative merits of cloth and leather upholstery.
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Health Considerations in Motor-Car Design. Nature 132, 959 (1933). https://doi.org/10.1038/132959c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/132959c0