[Vwdiesel] Starting?

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/20/2011 6:48:28 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
brian at gochnauer.net writes:

> Although I realize a lot of people still call it a bendix.
> Just for fun; They haven't made a bendix drive starter since the late
> 1930's
> 
> The starter drive uses a sprag clutch now.
> 
> 

  Ok, always wondered where the term "bendix" came from.  So... 
I know what a sprag clutch is (automatic tranny, some Honda bike 
starter linkages) so what's a bendix?
     Loren