What drivers used to know - starting the engine with the foot pedal
06/10/2017
Today it is clear. Either you start the engine with a starter button (assuming that the key is in the car) or with the key in the ignition lock.
But what if, as with the REO Flying Cloudfrom 1929, there is neither a starter button nor an ignition lock within reach? The driver of that time simply looked for a button in the footwell, pressed it and started the starter motor.
Of course, he had switched on the ignition first, it was that simple and actually quite practical, at least as long as his feet didn't have to operate anything else, e.g. gas pedal and brake, or clutch and brake. Then the dance on the pedals became a little more complicated. Which is probably why the starter pedal solution was abandoned. But of course, experienced drivers might still remember this ...
