HISTORY: Phillimon Maeko (senior curator) explains South Africa's contribution to transport to James Mahlokwane (Southern COURIER reporter).
AS the Easter holidays approach, The RECORD encourages you and your family to visit the James Hall Transport Museum to learn about how South Africa contributed to the history and development of transport.
BMW: This bubble car was the top-selling single-cylinder car in the world in its day.
The museum still has a running Rolls-Royce that was used by the Johannesburg mayor in 1951, and a fireproof asbestos suit that was used by firefighters in the 1950’s.
LEADERSHIP: This Rolls-Royce was used by the mayor of Johannesburg in 1951 and is still in good working order.
Firefighters back then did not have a siren so one firefighter would be tasked with ringing the bell all the way to the emergency scene, even though there was not that much traffic. Fire engines then didn’t carry water either. A pipe would be pulled to the nearest river and the firefighters would physically work the pump, aiming water at the burning building.
WHEELS: This form of wheel is thought to be one of the first invented and was pulled by work animals.
Most of the steam locomotives at the museum are from Europe and America and kept safely in a fenced-off area. Small parts of these locomotives often go missing and senior curator Phillimon Maeko suspects it could be because of their rarity.
CURATOR: Phillimon Maeko (senior curator) next to the Outspan orange vehicle which was used to visit schools and distribute fruit to children.
“When America was advancing to fuel vehicles, they exported these steam locomotives to Africa. Today, there aren’t many left in America and they wish they could have these back! Even when America advanced to steam locomotives, they brought animal transport vehicles to Africa,” said Phillimon.
ASBESTOS: This asbestos fireproof suit was used in the 1950’s by the Johannesburg Fire Department.
Most of the animal transport at the museum is still in mobile condition and some of the tools that were used by the blacksmiths (people who fixed animal transport) can still be seen. It was very interesting to learn that there were a lot of places, like garages, where blacksmiths repaired animal transport. So, while on route, travellers could stop and have their vehicles checked.
HISTORY: Learning about all forms of transport is interesting at the James Hall Transport Museum.
The RECORD invites you to visit the James Hall Transport Museum and send us a few photos and a short description of your experience. Email these to jamesm@caxton.co.za
