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Coal-gas powered delivery van of the Illustrated London News
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Coal-gas powered delivery van of the Illustrated London News
An example of coal-gas powered vehicles during the First World War, this example being the delivery van of the Illustrated London News and Sketch Ltd. The fuel was found to be an efficient substitute for petrol, which was in short supply, though the disadvantage was the enormous rubber gas-bag required to be carried around on the roof of the vehicle. Date: 1917
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Media ID 14157591
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Bags Coal Efficient Fuel Magazines News Petrol Powered Roof Rubber Shortages Substitute Vehicles Delivery
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph, hailing from the year 1917, showcases an innovative Coal-gas powered delivery van belonging to the esteemed Illustrated London News and Sketch Ltd. During the tumultuous period of the First World War, the scarcity of petrol became a significant challenge for motorized transportation. In response to this predicament, Coal-gas, an efficient substitute, emerged as a viable solution. The Coal-gas powered van depicted in this image is a testament to the ingenuity and adaptability of the era. The vehicle's engine was fueled by Coal-gas, which was produced from coal through a process called gasification. This alternative fuel proved to be a valuable asset during the war, as it allowed for the continuation of essential services, such as magazine deliveries, despite the petrol shortages. However, the adoption of Coal-gas as a fuel source was not without its disadvantages. The most notable of these was the requirement for enormous rubber gas-bags to be carried atop the vehicle. These bags, which held the Coal-gas, added weight and bulk to the vehicle, making it less efficient than its petrol-powered counterparts. Despite this, the Coal-gas powered delivery van of the Illustrated London News and Sketch Ltd. remained a crucial component of the company's operations during this pivotal moment in history. This photograph offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, showcasing the resourcefulness and determination of those who navigated the challenges of the First World War, and the innovative solutions that emerged from the most trying of circumstances.
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