What two actions previously required precise coordination from the driver during manual gear changes?
Answer
Foot on the clutch pedal and hand on the gear lever
Before the advent of automation conceived by Spikes, operating a manual transmission required the driver to synchronize two distinct physical operations simultaneously. The driver needed to depress the clutch pedal with their foot to disengage the engine from the drivetrain momentarily, while simultaneously manipulating the gear lever with their hand to select the desired ratio. This necessary coordination represented a significant point of failure, especially in stressful driving environments like heavy city traffic, which Spikes sought to eliminate.
Related Questions
How many patents did Richard B. Spikes accumulate during his prolific engineering career?In what state and year was Richard B. Spikes, the innovator of the gear shift mechanism, born?What specific drivetrain mechanism, designed to manage gear selection automatically, is most associated with Spikes?What safety-related hardware improvement did Spikes patent alongside the automatic gear shift and turn signal?What phrase describes the overall engineering philosophy Richard Spikes applied to vehicle management?What two actions previously required precise coordination from the driver during manual gear changes?What quality, demonstrated by his focus on real-world operational controls, did Spikes prioritize over theoretical maximum speed?What core aspect of vehicle operation did Spikes focus on, which is noted as being as critical as raw performance?In what year did Richard B. Spikes, known for pioneering driver assistance systems, pass away?What term describes the category of inventions Spikes focused on, encompassing the gear shift, brake, and turn signal?