Francis W Davis

摘要

Demand from customers for convenience features and the drive to improve safety have made vehicles bigger and heavier. But turning: the steering wheel hasn't become any more of a struggle, and that is owing to hydraulic power steering, developed more than 80 years ago by Francis W Davis. The American engineer was well aware of the problems drivers faced in the early 20th century. Cars were difficult to drive, and weight was the key factor: "There has been a trend toward larger automobiles equipped with an increasing number of accessories adding still further to the weight," he said in his 1927 patent continuation. The introduction of pneumatic tyres increased steering resistance yet further.