Some things I just recognise but that's it.
This is one of those things.
I saw it on Pinterest and thought, yes!
I traced it back to its source, a cool blog called Don't Panic. RTFM.
The familiar home-made toy object is called a Cotton Reel Tank.
But how on earth does it work?
Does anyone know?
The elastic band is twisted inside the cotton reel. You tighten the band by winding the matchstick around. When you release it, as the stick rotates it propels the reel along a surface. I've made them in class before, they do work.
ReplyDeleteYes, my father showed me how to make them. The piece of wax candle acts as a lubricant, allowing the cotton reel to turn smoothly. The weight of the cotton reel on the ground means the (match)stick can't rotate, so it pushes the reel along, which turns instead.
ReplyDeleteA further thought- (in case anyone wants to make one) what the picture doesn't show is that there is a smaller piece of matchstick laid flat across the central opening on the other side of the reel, with the rubber band looped over it, to hold the rubber band in place.
ReplyDeleteFascinating stuff guys. It all makes sense now. I have a vague memory of making one, probably at primary school in the Sixties. Why were the edges of the reel serrated like that though?
ReplyDeleteI think so that it grips the surface and not just skid on it.You don't need to do it for it to work.
ReplyDeleteyou seem to get spammed when you reply specifically to me Kev and no one else. We are mutually exclusive.
DeleteI'll assume that these cotton reel machines could not really be joined up in any way as the turns might be out of synch.
But why call them tanks?
"But why call them tanks?"
DeleteI suppose because they very vaguely remember WWI Mark IV tanks:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cd/British_Mark_IV_Tadpole_tank.jpg/348px-British_Mark_IV_Tadpole_tank.jpg
Ah yes anonymous, I see what you mean. There is a chap on UK TV recreating one of those tanks from scratch. he's called Guy Martin.
DeleteTold you there was something going on in the universe! No, these tanks are separate beasts.
ReplyDeleteThey are obviously the product of a fertile mind in frugal times. There used to books full of things to make like this I'm sure. Do modern kids make stuff at home?
ReplyDeleteWe learned how to make them in the late 50s we knew them as moon Rovers. .i think the idea was on the back of a cornflake packet
ReplyDeletevery resourceful. I love the name Moon Rovers. Maybe now kids are in isolation home-made toys like this might make a come back?
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