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Posted on October 29, 2009 by Nick Messe | Posted under Automotive
Putting America On Wheels
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The mass production of the automobile was started by Ransom Eli Olds who assembled a steam powered, three wheeled car in 1891 and a gasoline buggy in 1897. The gasoline car was a huge success by the standards of those days, under the brand name, Dash Oldsmobile. By 1902 annual sales soared to over 2000 and by 1904 the number reached 5000. Mass production and the resulting cost reduction was actually brought about by Ransom Olds, although Henry Ford introduced the revolutionary assembly line techniques a few years later and brought the per unit costs down further. In the beginning, these automobiles were only slightly faster than a horse driven cart. But their real advantage at that time was, unlike the horses, automobiles did not require rest after fixed intervals. During the early days, these cars had a small one cylinder engine under the seat, the transmission was made with a chain and the steering was a tiller. In 1908 Ford started production of its famed Model T cars and they sold 18 million of these cars until production of this model was stopped in 1927. The Ford Model T literally put America on wheels. During this period the general design of the modern automobile was well defined and it has remained the same until this day. The clutch and transmission system under the front floor, a multi-cylinder engine in front, real axle drive with the help of a shaft, pneumatic tires, leaf springs for wheels, foot operated brakes and steering wheels were already in place during this period. Other modifications during these early years were four wheel brakes, electric starters, automatic sparking, shock absorbers, steel bodies, pressure lubricated engines and fabric cord tires. The 1930s saw tremendous improvements in the quality of driving. The engine was brought forward between the front wheels which resulted in smooth driving and a feeling of floating rather than a series of bounces. It also gave more space in the car. The 1940s and 1950s saw improvements in body designs. The introduction of an automatic gear shift brought more comfort to driving. America started turning out the most luxurious cars in the world. Gas guzzling heavy castles rolling down the road was the rule of the day. But the restriction on exhaust, the control of car design by the federal government, and the Arab oil embargo of the 1970s had their effects on the new car designs. After the 1970s and particularly after 2000 manufacturers started concentrating on smaller, fuel efficient cars. The electric cars which were discarded at the beginning of the 20th century made their appearance again at the turn of the 21st century. Now emission standards and fuel efficiency have become as important in car design as driving comfort. Ironically, some of the best sellers in North America in the last decade have been vans, pick up trucks and large, powerful and relatively luxurious SUVs. About The Author: Nick Messe is president of The Lead Frog LLC. Finding accurate car repair information can be difficult due to the wide variety of vehicles on the road today and the vast differences between them. You can find helpful auto repair information at AutoRepair-Info.com |
Tags: AUTO REPAIR, CAR REPAIR, AUTO SERVICE, AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR, AUTO MAINTENANCE
