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Cameron Sluder
Mrs. Dunbar
Senior Project Paper


History Of The Automobile

Cars are an essential part of life, from the usual daily commute, to delivering food, to the
grocery store. In 1769 the very first automobile was invented and drastically changed society
[Who Invented The Automobile, 1]. A man by the name of Henry Ford devised the first
affordable automobile that would later become the backbone to Americas flourishing economy.
Today there are many different styles and companies manufacturing the modern automobile.
The early versions of automobiles have no comparison to today's larger varieties, but the
invention had to start somewhere. One of the very first automobiles was invented by Nicolas-
Joseph Cugnot. The tractor like automobile was used in the military, it ran on steam and also
had a top speed of 2.5 mph [Who Invented The Automobile, 1] . However, it wasn't until
designs dated from the 15th century from the blueprints of Leonardo Da Vinci were discovered
that Karl Benz had the idea of using an internal combustion engine on a three wheeled vehicle,
sort of like a tricycle [Who Invented The Automobile, 1]. Of course that early version did not
reach much popularity until two friends by the name of Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach
created a four wheeled four stroke ATV better known as the Cannstatt-Daimler that sparked the
interest of a few inventors and engineers [Who Invented The Automobile, 1]. This would
emerge into something that would depict human life eternally.
Rene Panhard and Emile Levassor were two partners in a woodworking / machining
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business. After rigorous planning, the decision to become car manufacturers was put into action.
The team completed their first automobile in 1890 using a Daimler Engine. The motors were
received from Edouard Sarrazin who held licence rights to the Daimler patent for France. He
commissioned the team Bellis 1. Levassor was the first engineer to transfer the motor to the
front of the car and use a rear-wheel drive layout giving the vehicle better balance and improved
steering abilities. This particular setup was known as the System Panhard and rapidly became the
general standard for most cars. As automobiles gained popularity people were searching for
quicker easier ways to build them. The first automobile to be mass produced in North America
was the Curved Dash Oldsmobile assembled by the car manufacturer Ransome Eli Olds. Olds
was the one to invent the first basic assembly line that began around Detroit, Michigan around
the other automobile facilities. The major competitor that took over the market was a man by the
name Henry Ford.
In 1910 the company moved into a huge new plant in Highland Park, Michigan, just
north of Detroit. There Ford Motor Company began a relentless drive to increase production and
lower costs. Ford and his team used simple concepts which was originated from watchmakers,
gun makers, bicycle makers, and meat packers. With this knowledge they incorporated their own
ideas and by late 1913 engineers had developed a moving assembly line for automobile
production. This improvement changed mass production completely, a Ford Model T could be
built in a total of 93 minutes, just a fraction of the previous amount of time needed to assemble
one of the most popular cars manufactured[Life Of Henry Ford, 1]. Mass production moved from
this system to all phases of the american industry and set a pattern of abundance for 20th century
living. Ford kept improving his business and it continued to grow with the American economy.
At first the Ford employees objected to the never ending repetitive work day. The turnover was
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so high that the company had to hire 53,000 people a year to keep 14,000 jobs filled. Ford
responded with his boldest innovation ever, in January 1914 he doubled wages to $5/ day[Life
Of Henry Ford, 2]. This stabilized the workforce and raised the bar around the world. Skilled
workers lined up and down the street ready to take Ford up on his offer. Considering average pay
for general factory work was no where near that price, added to this benefit was workers could
afford to purchase the same automobiles they assembled. This kept the assembly line moving at
all times instead of workers walking off the line and quitting. It was almost an immediate
success, productivity soared, Ford Motor Co. had doubled its profits in less than two years and
also expanded their markets. It was a game changer for the automobile industry. As for today,
the industry is constantly changing with the addition of newer technologies improving daily life.
Technology is essential in todays automobile industry as well as in the near future.
Looking at todays automobile compared to ten years past, there is an immense difference. For
instance, parents who are afraid their teen driver might speed or be distracted by playing the
vehicle's audio system at an excessive volume can use Ford's new MyKey system to limit speed
and volume. When programmed, MyKey limits the speed to 80 miles per hour. It can also be
programmed to limit the audio volume and to sound a continuous alarm if seat belts are left
unfastened Auto Tech 2. Useful technology such as this could deter young drivers from
making the wrong decisions while operating a motor vehicle. A developing technology called
Vehicle-to-Vehicle communication, or V2V, is being tested by automotive manufacturers like
Ford Motor Company as a way to help reduce the amount of accidents on the road. This works
by one vehicle communicating to another and telling the system there is another vehicle
approaching to apply the brakes and avoid a potential incident making cars safer than ever Ford
2. Computers pre-loaded with crash scene scenarios would be able to detect and choose which
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situation was similar and what action to take next. Mercedes is in current development of a
logical solution to the problem by using air bags underneath the automobile to reduce impact
during crash. Ever since airbags were been added to vehicles, they've continued to make their
way around the inside of our vehicles. Currently cars are equipped with curtain airbags, side
airbags, knee airbags, seat belts airbags and even ones that deploy underneath the vehicle. Maybe
not all cars are equipped with them, but they're on the road and saving lives daily. As if this isn't
mind blowing enough take a look at Googles latest innovation. In California and Nevada,
Google engineers have already tested self-driving cars on more than 700,000 miles of public
highways and roads. Google's cars not only record images of the road, but their computerized
maps view road signs, find alternative routes and see traffic lights before they're even visible to a
person. By using lasers, radars and cameras, the cars can analyze and process information about
their surroundings faster than a human can. The powerful camera attached to the driverless
vehicle is so accurate it can see a traffic light over 1.25 miles away. There has only been two
accidents involving one of Googles smart cars but were only caused by human error and not by
the Google Chauffeur system. Even though the technology is here state and local laws are further
behind and do not have allowances for Autonomous cars. Some of these laws date back to horse
and buggy days, so in turn this creates some controversy whether this should be changed or
continue as is [Google,1]. For medical reasons it should be considered an option for some
individuals.
Technology like the Autonomous cars, can change peoples lives as such did for Steve
Mahan who is legally blind and previously was not able to operate a motor vehicle legally or
safely. Thanks to Googles newest product The Google Chauffeur system, he is now the first
driverless car owner [Google,2]. Google is one of the many companies to contribute to the Go
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Green movement.
With the world Going Green companies are always looking to have the next and best
thing when it comes to being environmentally conscious. Mercedes-Benz has accomplished just
that with their newest prototype named the Biome Organically Grown Cars,2. The body is
constructed from organically grown genetically modified trees, which is eventually
biodegradable. To have the ability to accomplish this and to be strong enough to meet Federal
Department Of Transportation Regulations they have to layer the wood with a bio-fiber cloth.
This has a positive impact on the environment and to help reduce carbon levels in the
atmosphere. The motors that power this expensive vehicle only emit oxygen instead of polluting
the air. This actually leaves a negative carbon footprint, and will not come into full production
until 2015. Turning away from the exotic portion of the automobile industry great strides in
passenger cars have been made and Honda has made it a point to prove just that. Hondas Air
concept is not the only air-powered idea out there, but its vegetable-based body panels give new
meaning to organic design. Reduced weight would be a major benefit, especially when
combined with other weight-saving features like airless urethane tires and glass-reinforced
seating panels. Additions such as these are key factors in how efficient a car can be and just how
light weight is possible.
Imagine never having to fill up the car again, with that thought in mind the Nori which is
japanese for seaweed . Unlike Audi's unintended French double-entendre with the E-tron,
Toyotas naming is deliberate. Seaweed is used in the conjoined carbon fiber body/chassis,
which is also embedded with solar panels. The combined body and chassis format is incredibly
strong and light, and with the addition of the solar cells, actually generates supplemental power
[Organically Grown Cars,1]. The modular forms are grown at factories located nearby the sea.
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Seaweed grows prolifically, and using it as a key ingredient in a bio plastic body construction is
an effort to minimize the impact on the food chain (corn/soy etc) that has previously been used
for bioplastics. The solar cells are embedded as part of the growing/manufacturing process.
attached to the underside of the car and the rear are solar panels so it recharges the car and is
almost 100% efficient.
With the faster is better in mind and everyone now looking for loads of horsepower and
tire shredding abilities from their car companies but the government has strict rules and
regulations manufacturers have to follow [Organically Grown Cars,2]. To comply with this
Jaguars C-X75 supercar concept, like the marques current lineup, is stunning. What sets this
car apart from the rest of the brand -- and most other automobiles -- is revolution in design. An
electric motor is at each wheel, drawing from a central lithium-ion battery pack. The C-X75s
party pieces are twin gas turbines. Summon their power and Jaguar claims 3.4-second 0-60 mph
blasts and a 205 mph top end. This was unheard of, a supercar that was completely electric and
could shatter almost every top speed of production cars. People were shocked and amazed but
still wonder why this has not been in production yet. Future vehicle technology advances
suggests tomorrows electric vehicles will feature multiple motors, even one at each wheel for
unmatched control and handling. Concepts like Jaguars before mentioned C-X75 have this, but
the Nissan iV is unique [Organically Grown Cars,2]. Looking closer beyond the spider silk and
ivy composite body (hence, the iV name) and witness the concentric hub-less motors in each
wheel that is able to produce regenerative braking to slow the vehicle down at slower speeds.
This patented Nissan technology also handles steering and suspension duties. This regenerative
braking works as if the electric motors were generators and as the brakes are applied the moots
re-charge the battery as a factor of slowing the vehicle. Weight and moving parts are cut down in
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the process. Less parts, less maintenance and healthy factors equal the lower cost for consumers
which is very appealing to potential purchasers. Scares about global warming and impacts of old
run down cars and among other things completely changes society's way of life and also the
nature around it. In the automotive industry, the work is not always done by the hands of
humans.
Co-winner of the L.A. Auto Show Design Challenge with the Cadillac Aera, the Smart
454 WWT (Weight Watch Technologies) endless references to their Smart Granny Robots
(SGRs) knitting the carbon fiber body and chassis. Carbon fiber itself is not a new product or
design but the way it is constructed has totally changed, though youll pay dearly for a car with
any significant amount. Smart aims to make it affordable and features interchangeable body
panels to reconfigure the car as needed or desired. Technology continues to manipulate the
automobile, as a by-product the racing industry develops and continues to gain popularity year
after year.
Automobile Racing (Stock-Car Racing) has completely surpassed the ratings of the NBA
and also the NFL. This year alone over 12.5 million people watched the NASCAR Daytona 500
Shootout. Stock car racing has not always been famous, the roots from where it originated are
infamous. Racing started from Bootleggers hauling illegally distilled moonshine at high rate
speed down country back roads in the southernmost part of the United States[NASCAR,1].
Moonshine is a illegally distilled alcohol that is made from a mixture of Corn, Water, Yeast.
This mixture is left to ferment between 1-2 weeks, after that it is ran through a still (Distiller) and
packaged in the iconic mason jars. This yielded to anywhere from 90-190
proof[Homebrewing,1]. In the bootleggers free time they were always searching to find ways to
make their cars go faster to outrun the law. To test the speed of the car they decided to line two
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moonshine running cars fully loaded and race for a certain allotted distance, whoever got to the
finish line first had the faster car. The feeling both divers experienced during those few moments
was the rush all automotive enthusiasts would continue to chase up to this day. From there the
transfer began to move to a circle track where racers would go more than one lap to compete for
the win. The thrill people even experience in their daily lives makes us think back upon our
ancestors and that gives the drive to be bigger and better than the rest.
Cars are used throughout our daily life, it can benefit some more than others but impact
all differently. Innovators of this product couldn't fathom the changes that have been made
throughout the years. New creations, discoveries and restorations of automobiles create
memories among the individuals involved .With that knowledge is rediscovered and improved
daily and will guide the automotive industry along the way.