Brodie knob
Encyclopedia
Named after "bridge jumper" Steve Brodie (1863–1901), a brodie knob (alternate spelling brody knob) is a knob
that attaches to the steering wheel
of an automobile
. The knob swivels, and is intended to make steering with one hand less difficult. Brodie knobs are also known as necker
knobs, because they allow steering with one hand while necking
with the passenger. One disadvantage of the knob is that after letting go of the steering wheel after going around a corner, the steering wheel spins rapidly and the knob can hit the user's forearm or elbow. Other names include Suicide Knob, Granny Knob, and Steering Wheel Spinner.
Although brodie knobs were never widely popular, they enjoyed limited popularity on truck
s and tractors before the advent of power steering
. Their main use today is still in trucks, particularly semi trucks where they allow simultaneous steering
and operation of the radio
or gearshift. They are also used on forklifts and riding lawnmowers, where frequent sharp turning is required. The knob is also standard equipment in most modern farm and commercial tractors, its main purpose being to ease single-hand steering while the driver operates other controls with his/her other hand or is traveling in reverse.
Wheel-spinners are also used by people with disabilities to drive automobiles. Some states have outlawed their use except by people with disabilities.
Decorative versions of brodie knobs are also available. Popular designs include chrome
-plated and 8 ball
.
Brodie Knobs were widely popular, especially on the west coast of the US during the 1950s. Their primary use was on Hot Rod
s. The knob was used to spin the steering wheel, rapidly in one direction or the other, while accelerating, to cause the tire(s) to spin while rapidly whipping the car 180 degrees or half of a "doughnut". Hence the term "lay a brodie". In the 1950s and '60s "Pep Boys
" offered a large variety of brodie knobs, with every conceivable theme, from "Candy Apple colored", "Product Logos", to "nude women," and everything in between. Some automobile dealerships used them for advertisements. They were useful when power steering was uncommon.
Knob
Knob may refer to:* A rounded handle that one pulls or twists:** Doorknob, a round handle one turns to open any door** Control knob, controls a device** Brodie knob on the steering wheel...
that attaches to the steering wheel
Steering wheel
A steering wheel is a type of steering control in vehicles and vessels ....
of an automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
. The knob swivels, and is intended to make steering with one hand less difficult. Brodie knobs are also known as necker
Necking
Necking can refer to:* Making out, a term for heavy kissing of the neck or petting of that area* Necking , the process by which a ductile material deforms under tension forming a thin neck* Necking, a behavior of giraffes...
knobs, because they allow steering with one hand while necking
Making out
In human sexuality, making out is a sexual euphemism of American origin dating back to at least 1949, and is used synonymously with the terms necking, heavy petting, and hooking up to refer to non-penetrative sex, though "hooking up" is also used in some cultures to imply casual sex.-History:The...
with the passenger. One disadvantage of the knob is that after letting go of the steering wheel after going around a corner, the steering wheel spins rapidly and the knob can hit the user's forearm or elbow. Other names include Suicide Knob, Granny Knob, and Steering Wheel Spinner.
Although brodie knobs were never widely popular, they enjoyed limited popularity on truck
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
s and tractors before the advent of power steering
Power steering
Power steering helps drivers steer vehicles by augmenting steering effort of the steering wheel.Hydraulic or electric actuators add controlled energy to the steering mechanism, so the driver needs to provide only modest effort regardless of conditions. Power steering helps considerably when a...
. Their main use today is still in trucks, particularly semi trucks where they allow simultaneous steering
Steering
Steering is the term applied to the collection of components, linkages, etc. which will allow a vessel or vehicle to follow the desired course...
and operation of the radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
or gearshift. They are also used on forklifts and riding lawnmowers, where frequent sharp turning is required. The knob is also standard equipment in most modern farm and commercial tractors, its main purpose being to ease single-hand steering while the driver operates other controls with his/her other hand or is traveling in reverse.
Wheel-spinners are also used by people with disabilities to drive automobiles. Some states have outlawed their use except by people with disabilities.
Decorative versions of brodie knobs are also available. Popular designs include chrome
Chromium
Chromium is a chemical element which has the symbol Cr and atomic number 24. It is the first element in Group 6. It is a steely-gray, lustrous, hard metal that takes a high polish and has a high melting point. It is also odorless, tasteless, and malleable...
-plated and 8 ball
8 Ball
8 Ball is the first E.P. by the Burden Brothers. It was released in 2002 on Last Beat Records. The disc was sold in a package along with a t-shirt, shotglass, and stickers on the band's website.-Track listing:-Personnel:...
.
Brodie Knobs were widely popular, especially on the west coast of the US during the 1950s. Their primary use was on Hot Rod
Hot rod
Hot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. The origin of the term "hot rod" is unclear. One explanation is that the term is a contraction of "hot roadster," meaning a roadster that was modified for speed. Another possible origin includes modifications to or...
s. The knob was used to spin the steering wheel, rapidly in one direction or the other, while accelerating, to cause the tire(s) to spin while rapidly whipping the car 180 degrees or half of a "doughnut". Hence the term "lay a brodie". In the 1950s and '60s "Pep Boys
Pep Boys
The Pep Boys — Manny, Moe & Jack , branded as Pep Boys Auto and commonly abbreviated as Pep Boys, is a full-service and tire automotive aftermarket chain....
" offered a large variety of brodie knobs, with every conceivable theme, from "Candy Apple colored", "Product Logos", to "nude women," and everything in between. Some automobile dealerships used them for advertisements. They were useful when power steering was uncommon.