<VV> Brodie knobs?

[Bob Lindsey]

Some new vehicles did come with a version of the Brodie.  Any old-timers 
remember, I
believe I saw one on a 40 Chevy?  One Steering Wheel spoke ( the one on the 
right side,
I think) had a large circular piece out at the Steering Wheel end of the 
spoke.  Inside this
was another circular piece with a crossbar.  The cross bar had grip surfaces 
on it which
were the wheel material.  Had ball bearings between the 2 circular pieces. 
Driver
simply grasped the bar to rapidly turn the steering wheel.

Bob Fuzzy Memory Lindsey

> ...and THIS is where Wiki drops the ball.
>
> When I was a kid, nearly everybody's car had a "wheelspinner knob" on it. 
> Grandpa's '41 Dodge had one, the '49 Chevy belonging to the teacher across 
> the street had one, the Hudson across the alley in back had one, as did 
> the Studebaker next door to him... as did the '48 Desoto next door to us. 
> The shiny bright baby-blue under white '53 Bel-Air two houses up (gorgeous 
> car, old Mr Dillon took very good care of it) didn't have one, which 
> brought up the question of why the Chevy didn't have the knob on it.    "I 
> don't know.   Ask Mr Dillon".     (I was kinda scared of Mr Dillon so I 
> didn't ask)
>
>
> I thought cars came with them...  then again I was a little kid and didn't 
> know much more than I know now.
>
>
>
> tony..     saw one on a 'Vair at a show some years ago.