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Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Draper auto." A Dodge touring car bearing the initials of Charles W. Draper and equipped with solid rubber tires similar to the Trublprufs seen in his store window. National Photo Co. View full size.
I'm thinking the holes provided some flex to the solid rubber tires. Notice the rear tire in particular - round holes at the top, oval at the bottom.
The Trublpruf is the ancestor of today's Tweel from Michelin:
Vanity of Vanities! 92 years later they're calling them "Tweels". Here's a similar car, with the tire-air held securely in place, snapped at a local car show in 2009.
This picture is also in the store window. I wonder if the wind whistled through those holes.
It appears that this same photo was featured in Mr. Draper's store window.
What were the holes supposed to do?
Were these solid rubber tires?
[Does anyone read the captions? - Dave]
Sorry, Dave. I read the solid part AFTER I pressed the send button. No way to take already sent back. But I still want to know what the holes were supposed to do, and if they did it.
Nice job with the shadows, though. But seriously, it does sorta look it.
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