Women and Cars 1909

 By Bruce Shawkey

I found an interesting book on the Internet advising women on how to drive their cars ... everything from appropriate dress to performing routine maintenance. The photo above shows the starting of the engine using a crank. This is a strenuous task even for a man.

Here's what the author advises women to do:

In front of the car you will notice a handle. Push it inwards until you feel it fit into a notch, then pull it up sharply, releasing your hold of the handle the moment you feel you have pulled it over the resisting (compression) point. On no account press down the handle — always pull it upwards, smartly and sharply. If it is pressed down the possibility of a backfire is greater — and a broken arm may result. This, however, is not a common occurrence, and is one that is brought about entirely through carelessness on the part of the would-be driver. 

Here is advice on self defense precautions:

If you are going to drive alone in the highways and byways it might be advisable to carry a small revolver. I have an automatic “ Colt,” and find it very easy to handle as there is practically no recoil — a great consideration to a woman. While I have never had occasion to use it on the road (though, I may add, I practice continually at a range to keep my eye and hand “in,” it is nevertheless a comfort to know that should the occasion arise I have the means of defending myself.

If you are driving alone a dog is great company. The majority of dogs like motors and soon get into the habit of curling up on the seat by your side, under your coat.

Proper dress for motoring:

Now, as to ordinary garments, dress for the season of the year exactly as you would if you were not going motoring. I would advise shoes rather than boots as they give greater freedom to the ankles and do not tend to impede the circulation, as a fairly tightly laced or buttoned boot would do, but this is a matter of individual taste. In winter time it is advisable to wear high gaiters, have them specially made, almost up to the knee.

As regards a frock — the plain “tailor-made” with a shirt blouse of linen, or silk is without doubt the most comfortable — and the wearer has the advantage, at the end of a days’ run, of appearing trim and neat. Under no circumstances wear lace or “fluffy” adjuncts to your toilette — if you do, you will regret them before you have driven half a dozen miles.

Avoid leather coats. They do not wear out gracefully. At first they may be delightful, but when they have been caught in two or three showers they begin to have a hard, stiff feeling which is far from comfortable.

On maintenance:

Your troubles with a car may be nil — they may be a-plenty. You may be at fault, and again, the trouble may simply be one of ordinary misfortune or due to the idiosyncrasies of your car. But to whatever it is due, learn quickly to mend matters and laugh at them rather than weep. I well remember the first time I started out alone without a chauffeur. Somehow or other the car stopped (cars in those days were not so reliable as they are to-day — and the one I had lent me had done good service). For several hours I could not make out what was the matter, wept bitter tears and was so down-hearted that it took me a day to get over it. There is only one trouble regarding which you are really justified in feeling angry — that is a punctured or burst tire. It is possible for a woman to repair a tire, but I am sure I am correct in saying that not one woman in a thousand would want to ruin her hands in this way.

There are many other amusing chapters in the book, but I'll end it here.