Lizzie

The Model T was mass produced between 1908-1927. The reality is that, for many years after the appearance of cars, there were no driving schools or traffic signs. In Habana, for example, about 20-30 years after the introduction of the car in 1898, there were still only 2 traffic lights.

The Model T had 3 pedals: to control the gears, to go backwards and to brake. You could have a fourth pedal installed to accelerate. There were two hand levers : one to control gas flow so as to speed up or slow down the car and the other lever was a handbrake. Because of the combination of inexperienced drivers and the number of pedals and levers of the Model T, it became the butt of a lot of black humour.

The Ford Model T became a star in silent slapstick movies and later in talkies endearingly known as "Tin Lizzie" or just plain Lizzie. I grew up watching cartoons and movies in which the appearance of Lizzie was almost a sure sign of slapstick and hilarity. Lizzie starred with the Keystone Cops and many others such as Laurel and Hardy, Harold Lloyd and Charles Chaplin. Much of the slapstick involved Lizzie as a runaway car or drivers who could not distinguish among the pedals and went backwards instead of forwards or had no idea of how to break and pedestrians had to sprint away from the car or where mowed down. Of course, in the movies they got up again.

Babe Ruth is the second customer of the madcap taxista.

This slapstick image of Lizzie is imprinted on those of us who grew up watching the old movies. Recently, I was talking with Graciela, a cousin of mamita (Olga) and niece of abuelo who lives in Florida. She is 85 years old and was wondering whether she would live long enough for us to see each other. I bucked her up by saying: "You know how long lived we are! - remember Ramón?". "Yes, that's true - then she added with a sigh - pobre Ramón!" And after a pause, we both burst out laughing.

Next: Ramón.