'Thelma Retarder' Wtf?

[Ferret]

I saw this years ago on a mini-bus that went past my stop, I saw it and it immediately wondered what it was with such a strange name. Does it stop people from running from the law and driving off cliffs?

All I could find on the web was this photo:

So I'm throwing it out to the ENWorld Melting pot, to see if a bus engineer is about?

 

[HeavenShallBurn]

In the context of vehicles a 'retarder' is in my experience usually an exhaust brake. It uses exhaust gas pressure to slow down the engine so you don't have to ride the brake, you can downshift and rely on the resistance from a lower gear and the exhaust brake to keep you from speeding up without damaging your brakes or wheels.

That doesn't look quite like any exhaust brake I'm familar with but hey I'm sure there are more designs than I've seen.

 

[hafrogman]

In this case, it seems to be some kind of magnetic style of brake for heavy vehicles (like busses). The main problem seems to be that the Belgians have misspelled what should be a Telma Retarder.

Just a brand name. Alas.

http://www.telmausa.com/telma_htm/default.htm

 

[Ferret]

Hmm, I'm not sure what the spelling on the bus was...but that looks and sounds about right!

Cheers guys! Curiosity sated!

 

[Dirigible]

Could be a device to keep Aleister Crowley from gathering his wits.

Or to stop the Scooby Gang from solving mysteries.

No, wait, that'd be a Velma Retarder, sorry.

 

[Ferret]

I'm guessing that first reference is to The Da Vinci code? Not seen or read that, so I'm in the dark...but the second one is quite fitting!

 

[kenobi65]

I'm guessing that first reference is to The Da Vinci code? Not seen or read that, so I'm in the dark...

Not even close. Aleister Crowley was an fairly infamous British occultist. Thelema was the name of his philosophy, it sounds like (I'm no expert).

 

[jaerdaph]

No, wait, that'd be a Velma Retarder, sorry.

Jinkies! My Glasses!

 

[Ferret]

*Crunch* Bye-bye glasses

Ahhh, I think I know where I heard a similar name now! Alistair Moody!

 

[kenobi65]

Ahhh, I think I know where I heard a similar name now! Alistair Moody!

Cripes, Ferret. You didn't know who Roger Daltry was, you don't know who Aleister Crowley was...what are they teaching you in those British schools??