January 1903: Harry Parsons’ snow chains

With Britain in the middle of its coldest snap for some considerable time, there is the usual scrabbling around to find low-cost and effective ways of coping with the weather. But with budgets tight, it seems that a look back at age-old inventions could help provide some answers. In 1903, The Engineer became particularly excited about the snow chains offered by a Mr Harry Parsons of Clapham Road, London.

“It would appear that a device has at last been invented whereby the bête noire of the motor car driver – side slip – can be circumvented,” wrote The Engineer. “Self-propelled vehicles, and motors have been crying out for a device which will, figuratively speaking, interpose a suitable path between the tyre and the film of grease.”

The solution was to place two flexible wire hoops on each side of the wheel and connect them together with steel chains passing in a zig-zag from one hoop to the other. Very similar to today’s snow chains, the design was reported to operate in all weather conditions without causing excessive wear or damage to the tyre.