Buick35 Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 We're steering wheel spinners popular in the 30s? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Cole Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 Joel R. Thorp of Wisconsin is credited with the invention of the steering wheel spinner knob in 1936. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Dobbin Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 Also known as a :Necking Nob, Also probably as a knuckle buster. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
61polara Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 Most states made these illegal. Wearing a long sleeve shirt, you can catch the knob in the shirt sleave and the result is major problems. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akstraw Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 Can’t say I ever needed or desired one, but every time I shop for parts on eBay, several dozen options show up for sale. Does anybody ever really buy those things? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yachtflame Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 I believe that they sell as well as the silly little stuffed child doll that comes up on eBay as an original parts for a 1931 Cadillac! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buick35 Posted June 22, 2023 Author Share Posted June 22, 2023 I saw one listed under parts for sale and thought the green might look good on my green Buick but not sure. I got a couple of Amazon gift cards for Fathers Day I could offer him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 Some makes offered them as a built-in, optional feature, Chevrolet 1941: 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesR Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 1 hour ago, Buick35 said: I saw one listed under parts for sale and thought the green might look good on my green Buick but not sure. I got a couple of Amazon gift cards for Fathers Day I could offer him. Ask him if he'll throw in a couple of curb feelers for good measure! 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 49 minutes ago, 58L-Y8 said: Some makes offered them as a built-in, optional feature, Chevrolet 1941: My first car, in 1952, a 1940 Chevrolet Special Deluxe, had one of those. I have only seen one other, here in Wichita Falls a few years back. Ben 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlespetty Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 A family friend lost an arm in an industrial accident while on his 20s and didn't let that slow him down. He had a necker knob on his diesel dump truck that he drove for his profession, his pickup and the family car. I rode with him many times and he was a great driver. He would steady the steering wheel with the clamp on his prosthetic arm when he shifted the dump truck with his good hand. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzBob Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 FWIW. Dad had those on his farm tractor steering wheels but not on his car or trucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 10 hours ago, Phillip Cole said: Joel R. Thorp of Wisconsin is credited with the invention of the steering wheel spinner knob in 1936. He stole the idea from Steam Traction Engines and Steam Rollers. Spinner knobs were a part of the steering wheel since the early days. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 10 hours ago, Akstraw said: Can’t say I ever needed or desired one, but every time I shop for parts on eBay, several dozen options show up for sale. Does anybody ever really buy those things? My first wife was handicapped. As part of the stuff needed to drive a car or van part of her equipment was a spinner knob. She had a hand lever that depressed the accelerator when you pulled back on it and pushed on the brake when it was pushed forward. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 I had one on a piece of construction equipment (material handler) and loved it. Not sure I need one on a car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46 woodie Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 Some stand up fork lift's still use them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusty Trucker Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 (edited) I installed one on my 24hp imported diesel tractor (without power steering) and wouldn't be without it now. It's very helpful in steering and allows the use of my free hand while maneuvering. Same reason I installed a "necker knob" on my El Camino back in the day, if you get my drift. Edited June 22, 2023 by Crusty Trucker (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 They were also called "suicide knobs" here 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 This pick up has one. I use it unconsciously. It's a no-frills rig, that means no power anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60ch Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 If you are in search of an early 30s steering wheel you will see the nicks and grooves damage that these spinners could cause on an otherwise perfect steering wheel. Terry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reynard Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 19 hours ago, 61polara said: Most states made these illegal. Wearing a long sleeve shirt, you can catch the knob in the shirt sleave and the result is major problems. Is a steering wheel spinner knob illegal? In answer to my question, our reliable and sometimes accurate friend, Google, said: "In searching through each state's statutes, there were no laws in the 50 states banning the use of steering wheel knobs on privately owned cars. Some businesses may make their own rule on company cars or trucks. In fact, some states require the use of a steering aid for some handicapped individuals."Apr 19, 2023 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drhach Posted June 23, 2023 Share Posted June 23, 2023 On forklifts, I've found them to be great. On cars, not so much. That said, my brother lost the use of one of his arms and it made it so he could drive in modern traffic. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted June 24, 2023 Share Posted June 24, 2023 (edited) Looking around the web I found this. It gives a list and most states do not have a law against one. An old wife's tale? https://suicideknob.net/state-laws/#:~:text=No rules against knobs in New York's laws. Edited June 24, 2023 by Dandy Dave (see edit history) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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