What does " thimble drome mean"?

My take is that the engines were so small that they could operate out of an airdrome the size of a thimble.

In Inference Mark

Kind of funny if you do a Google search and pick the right one you get this
https://www.coxengineforum.com/t82-origin-of-thimble-drome  Also Thank You I didn't know  , getback

I think in the tense that it is used thimble means miniature or model. I imagine it would be very hard to trademark the word miniature or model and anyway miniature-drome just doesn't sound as good. Thimble Drome was a very good idea by someone.

From Leroy M Cox - Wikipedia :  In 1946 Roy and his partner Mark Mier developed a metal push pull toy car for toddlers. This car was based on the Indianapolis 500 racers of the day. It later developed into a tethered car and engine manufacturers soon started making engine packages for the cars. The cars became very popular and at one time Cox was producing over 1500 cars per day. In 1948 Roy Cox was approached by the Cameron Brothers, model engine makers, who had built some engine packages specifically for Cox's Champion race car. This engine was sold separately as "Thimble Drome" for the Champion car. In 1950 Roy ventured into engine manufacturing by teaming up with Mel Anderson to produce the O-Forty-Five Special car. This engine was .045 cubic inch and used some parts from Mel Anderson's Spitzy model airplane engine.

Here's a modified version, two beers, two shots and a screwdriver: TA-Da!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROY-COX-THIMBLEDROME-CHAMPIONS-TETHER-PUSHER-RACER-CAR-W-AIRPLANE-MOTOR-WENMAC-/231744493947?hash=item35f50c597b:g:o5cAAOSwu-BWPSqj

.

Excellent information, thank you.

Man that's some really good stuff just enjoying the pictures and excitement of the moment , no wonder so many people are into collection of the wonderful toys of yesterday . Kids now a days would not know how to act with these marvels when all it seems they no is how to push buttons It is sad . Thank You Much Mudhen and Joe for starting this post the info is amazing !! getback:D

The design of the complex self contained drive unit for the cars is ingenious to me.

I will agree ,never seen one in person but , if I didn't know better looks like the axle is the crankshaft ?? It is very interesting for sure . getback