TerryB Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 I’m reading the book about Alice Ramsey, the first woman to cross the United States by automobile. She is driving a 1909 Maxwell DA on her adventure and in the book she mentioned she has a roll up windshield on the car. Pictures indicate it’s similar to a roll up side curtain. So what is the clear material made of that allows her to see the road yet can be rolled? It’s 1909 so plastic is out. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 (edited) Isinglass comes to mind. Or maybe some sort of thin acetate. Edited September 15, 2019 by keiser31 (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryankazmer Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 "isinglass" was used to describe a couple of different materials, typically based on fish bladders or mica. Of course the mica wouldn't bend but the canvas it was held in would. Cellulose acetate is another possibility, and could be made flexible by having glycerin added. And those are early plastics. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted September 15, 2019 Author Share Posted September 15, 2019 Yes, cellulose is a good possibility, I forgot about that material. Fish scales is an intriguing option too! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Carl Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 I have a feeling that if you enter Bladders in the search box, you will quickly find a couple or three topics which discussed this in some detail. The original sidecurtains on my 1924 Cadillac are still rather flexible, and in extremely good condition. As the old Cad has always been a "fair weather" car since new, they were seldom used before I bought it 30 years ago. I have only flown them a very few days myself. However, they have yellowed, and are not as clear as they must have been back in the year of the "Scopes Monkey Trial", Clarence Darrow vs. William Jennings Bryan. They have no "fishy" odor whatsoever. Next time you find yourself in an exotic Japanese restaurant, try the superb Moonfish liver pate. Probably will not be on the English language menu. I intend to try the Fugu when I become old enough to die willingly. - Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted September 15, 2019 Author Share Posted September 15, 2019 (edited) They sure are in great shape given how old they are, Carl. The Maxwell’s roll up windshield seems to be attached to the convertible top’s front supports. Edited September 16, 2019 by TerryB (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 I believe these CarterCar items were acetate.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MochetVelo Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 Not to quibble, but I would propose cellulose nitrate would have been used before WWII. This is the same clear plastic used then in motion picture film. It is not very stable under sunlight, however, as well as flammable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brass is Best Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 Here is my 1910 Buick with the roll down windshield in place and rolled up. Even though I had a brass windshield I would use it to keep the wind from coming through. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 Nice Buick, good to see one in something other than pure white. Bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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