Disc Brakes By: Peter J Conrad

Frederick William Lanchester Born on Oct. 23, 1868, London, England Lanchester produced the first British automobile, a one-cylinder, five-horsepower model, in 1896 In 1901, British inventor Frederick William Lanchester patented disc brakes

Disc Brakes The disc brake or disk brake is a device for slowing or stopping the rotation of a wheel. To stop the wheel, friction material in the form of brake pads is forced mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically or electromagnetically against both sides of the disc.

Drum Brakes They were called drum brakes because the components were housed in a round drum that rotated along with the wheel. Inside was a set of shoes that, when the brake pedal was pressed, would force the shoes against the drum and slow the wheel. Drum brakes are still used in some modern cars because of some engineering and cost advantages Downsides When the drums are heated by hard braking, the diameter of the drum increases slightly due to thermal expansion of the material, this means the brakes shoes have to move farther and the brake pedal has to be depressed more. If the surface overheats to the point where it becomes glazed the reduction in braking efficiency is more permanent.