The role of the “chauffeur”? Give heat!

Photos:
Regional Archive of Madeira / Museu Photographia Vicente (images present in the book “The first automobile in Madeira” by Eduardo Jesus)

Having a “chauffeur” is a sign of luxury or a consequence of power. For many (except those reading this, for obvious reasons), it is an ambition. But there were times when having a “chauffer” was just an imperative necessity.

The “chauffer” was essential for driving a car even if, in many cases, he did not even drive it.

Like this? Isn't a “chauffeur” a driver? It is and it isn't...

In the days of automobiles today classified as “pioneers”, there were not what we today call “spark plugs”, not even the carburetor as we know it, capable of emitting the mixture “spray”.

The engines of that time were powered by a “surface” carburetor, in which the fuel was heated in the tank until it formed vapor, generating a mixture of air and fuel that would be sucked into the engine.

After the engine was running, the exhaust gases were used to keep the fuel in constant vaporization, but initially, it was necessary to preheat the reservoir using an alcohol lamp.

But the absence of a spark plug or even an electrical system made the ignition process quite complex. The primordial system, invented and patented by Gottlieb Daimler in 1883 (thinking about gas engines), consisted of igniting the fuel through a “hot tube”. It was a platinum tube that had to be heated until its tip was red-hot. To do this, it was necessary to light a small fire in the furnace next to the engine, where two “bunsen” type burners heat the aforementioned platinum tube.

Now, this function of heating – in French “chauffer” –, being delicate and dirty, was assigned to an employee, commonly called “chauffeur”, that is, “the one who makes the heat”.

Of course, the role of such a person was not limited to starting the ignition, as, as a rule, he was someone who assisted the driver at all necessary times, while also being a mechanic on duty. Someone capable of preventing the car from being stuck with a breakdown anywhere.

Given the low speed and limited capacity of cars at the time, it was common for the "chauffeur" to accompany the car on foot...
He was also often the one who alerted the population to the approach of a car, which forced him to run ahead of it. A much more demanding profession than driving a car with a peaked hat and white gloves.