The Automobile: Its First 100 Years - WheelsTV

Summary

This script narrates the evolution of the automobile, from its inception by Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler in the late 19th century to the global industry it is today. It covers the early adoption of cars in Europe and the U.S., the impact of the Model T, the rise of General Motors and Chrysler, the influence of the automobile on culture and infrastructure, and the challenges faced during the Great Depression and oil crises. It also touches on the emergence of foreign competition, the importance of innovation, and the ongoing quest for improved transportation solutions.

Takeaways

• 🚗 The invention of the automobile revolutionized personal transportation, starting with the work of Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler in 1886.
• 🏎️ Early automobiles were initially a luxury item and a novelty, with races being held to demonstrate their practicality.
• 🛣️ The improvement of road conditions in Europe and the establishment of races helped popularize the automobile among the public.
• 🌎 The automobile industry in the United States began with different roots, influenced by agreements with European inventors and local entrepreneurs like Charles Duryea.
• 🏭 Henry Ford's Model T, introduced in 1908, democratized car ownership by making vehicles affordable for the masses through assembly line production.
• 🚕 The growth of the automobile industry led to the development of supporting services like roadside restaurants, accommodations, and gas stations.
• 🌉 The construction of better roads and highways, such as the Lincoln Highway and the Interstate Highway System, facilitated long-distance travel and the spread of car culture.
• 🏙️ The automobile enabled the decentralization of cities, leading to the rise of suburbs and a new lifestyle centered around car ownership.
• 🚘 The 1950s saw a surge in car personalization, drag racing, and the popularity of stock car racing, reflecting the cultural significance of cars among the youth.
• 🌿 The 1970s oil crisis and increasing environmental concerns led to a shift towards more fuel-efficient and smaller cars, impacting the dominance of American automakers.
• 🌐 The rise of imported cars, particularly from Japan and Europe, challenged the American auto industry and increased competition, leading to improvements in quality and efficiency.

Q & A

What significant development in transportation technology occurred in 1886?

In 1886, two vehicles were unveiled by German engineers Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler, marking the birth of the automobile.

Who is credited with patenting the world's first automobile?

Carl Benz is credited with patenting the world's first automobile on January 29th, 1886.

How did the introduction of the automobile change the European landscape?

The automobile initially remained a plaything for the wealthy in Europe until well into the 20th century, but it also led to races being held to establish its practicality.

What was the impact of the Seldon patent on the automobile industry?

The Seldon patent, awarded to George B. Seldon in 1895, made it illegal to manufacture or sell gasoline-powered vehicles without paying royalties to Seldon, affecting the profits of manufacturers.

How did the Model T change the automobile industry?

The Model T, introduced by Henry Ford, was designed for the masses and produced using an assembly line, making it affordable and widely available, thus altering the face of the nation.

What was the role of the automobile in the 1930s during the Great Depression?

During the Great Depression, the automobile provided a means of escape for thousands of families who piled their belongings into cars or trucks and headed west in search of a new life.

How did the automobile industry contribute to the American military effort during World War II?

During World War II, automobile production ceased entirely as materials were diverted to war production, with automakers accounting for 1/10th of America's total military output.

What was the significance of the Volkswagen Beetle's introduction to the United States?

The Volkswagen Beetle, with its unconventional design and placement of the engine, initially made little impact but eventually became a symbol of economical and compact cars, breaking the Model T's record as the world's most produced car.

How did the 1973 gasoline shortage affect the American automobile industry?

The 1973 gasoline shortage led to consumers waiting in long lines at service stations, forcing them to realize the automobile's heavy consumption of the world's oil resources and prompting a shift towards more economical cars.

What technological advancements are being utilized by the automobile industry to improve efficiency and safety?

Manufacturers are using computerization and microprocessors to enhance engineering and design, as well as to monitor and control engine operation within fuel economy and emission standards.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 The Dawn of Automobiles

The script begins with a historical overview of human mobility, from using animals for transportation to the invention of the automobile. It highlights the pivotal roles of German engineers Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler in the late 19th century, who independently developed the first automobiles. The script also discusses the spread of automobile production to other European countries and the United States, where it initially served as a luxury item for the wealthy. The early American automobile industry is exemplified by the establishment of the first American automobile manufacturing company by the Duryea brothers and the introduction of the Curved Dash Oldsmobile by Ransom Olds, which was designed for the general public rather than the elite.

05:02

🏎️ The Evolution and Challenges of Early Automobiles

This section delves into the challenges faced by early automobile manufacturers, particularly the Selden patent, which monopolized gasoline-powered vehicles and required royalties from manufacturers. Despite this, the industry's enthusiasm persisted, as evidenced by long-distance endurance runs that showcased the reliability of automobiles. The script also covers the rise of automobile racing, the development of the Model T by Henry Ford, and its significant impact on making cars accessible to the masses. The Model T's production utilized the assembly line, which revolutionized manufacturing and led to a surge in car ownership. Additionally, the script touches on the early days of the automotive industry's interaction with the emerging film industry, using the car as a central element in movies and even featuring racing drivers as film heroes.

10:02

🚦 The Growth of the Automotive Industry and Infrastructure

The script discusses the rapid growth of the automotive industry in the early 20th century, with a focus on the United States surpassing 100 million in population and an increase in car ownership. It details the competition between Ford and General Motors, with the latter's strategy of offering a variety of cars for different needs and financial capabilities. The script also covers the improvement of road conditions, the establishment of a nationwide highway system, and the rise of Los Angeles as a car-centric city. The impact of the Great Depression on the industry is mentioned, highlighting how the automobile became a symbol of affluence and a means of escape for many during the economic downturn.

15:02

🛣️ The Impact of Automobiles on Society and Culture

This section explores the profound impact of automobiles on American society and culture during the 1930s, including the increase in paved road mileage and the construction of iconic bridges like the George Washington Bridge. The script also discusses the 1939 World's Fair, where the automotive industry showcased advancements such as all-steel bodies, automatic transmissions, radios, and air conditioning. Post-World War II, the industry faced a surge in demand for new cars, leading to a rapid increase in production. The 1950s are characterized by the appeal of automobiles to the youth, the rise of stock car racing, and the introduction of the interstate highway system, which transformed the nation's transportation infrastructure and spurred suburban growth.

20:04

🏁 The Changing Landscape of the Automotive Industry

The script highlights the 1950s as a period of significant change in the automotive industry, with a shift towards more stylish and personalized cars, as well as the emergence of the Volkswagen Beetle as a popular import. It discusses the challenges faced by American manufacturers in the 1960s, including criticism over safety and environmental impact, leading to increased government regulation. The 1973 gasoline shortage further impacted the industry, prompting a shift towards more fuel-efficient vehicles. The script also notes the rise of Japanese imports and their influence on American car buyers' perceptions of quality and workmanship, contributing to a decline in Detroit's dominance in the market.

25:06

🌐 The Future of Automobiles and Global Impact

The final section of the script looks towards the future of the automotive industry, acknowledging the ongoing pursuit of better and safer transportation methods. It discusses the use of computerization in car manufacturing to improve engineering and design, and the role of microprocessors in meeting fuel economy and emission standards. The script concludes by emphasizing the continuous evolution of the automobile, suggesting that despite a century of development, there are still many challenges to overcome and goals to achieve in the quest for improved personal transportation.

Keywords

💡Internal Combustion Engine

An internal combustion engine is a type of engine where the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer inside a combustion chamber. It is a crucial component in the history of the automobile, as it allowed for the development of the first practical cars. The video script mentions the development of the internal combustion engine as a pivotal moment, enabling the transition from horse-drawn carriages to motor vehicles, as exemplified by the work of Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler.

💡Automobile

The automobile is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers and goods. It is the central theme of the video, detailing its invention and evolution. The script discusses the unveiling of the first automobiles by Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler in 1886, marking the birth of the automobile as we know it today.

💡Assembly Line

The assembly line is a manufacturing process in which parts of a product are added as the whole product moves on a conveyor belt. It revolutionized the automobile industry by allowing for mass production of cars, reducing costs and making cars more affordable. The video highlights Henry Ford's implementation of the assembly line for the Model T, which significantly increased production and made cars accessible to the general public.

💡Model T

The Model T, often called the 'Tin Lizzie,' is an automobile produced by Henry Ford's Ford Motor Company from 1908 to 1927. It was significant for its role in making cars affordable for the middle class. The video script describes the Model T as a car for all people, with over 15 million units produced, which helped democratize automobile ownership.

💡Interstate Highway System

The Interstate Highway System is a network of freeways that links major cities and metropolitan areas of the United States. The video discusses the establishment of this system as a significant development in the 20th century, facilitating long-distance travel and contributing to the growth of the automobile culture in the United States.

💡Import Cars

Import cars refer to vehicles manufactured outside of the country where they are sold. The video script notes the rise in popularity of imported cars, particularly from Japan and Europe, which challenged the dominance of American automakers in the 1960s and 1970s. This trend highlighted the need for American manufacturers to innovate and improve the fuel efficiency and quality of their vehicles.

💡Emission Standards

Emission standards are regulations that set limits on the amount of certain pollutants that can be released into the atmosphere by vehicles. The video touches on the importance of these standards in the development of the automobile industry, as manufacturers had to adapt to stricter regulations to reduce the environmental impact of their vehicles.

💡Fuel Economy

Fuel economy refers to the efficiency of a vehicle in relation to the amount of fuel used, usually measured in miles per gallon (MPG). The video script discusses how fuel economy became a critical factor in car design, especially during the 1970s oil crisis, when consumers started seeking more fuel-efficient vehicles.

💡Automotive Racing

Automotive racing is a motorsport involving the racing of automobiles for competition. The video mentions the early races held to establish the practicality of automobiles, which attracted spectators and helped promote the new technology. Racing also served as a platform for car manufacturers to showcase the performance and durability of their vehicles.

💡Car Culture

Car culture refers to the way societies and communities are influenced by the use of automobiles. The video script describes how the automobile became central to American culture, particularly in the growth of suburbs and the development of cities like Los Angeles, where the car was essential for daily life and commuting.

💡Computerization

Computerization in the automotive industry refers to the use of computers and microprocessors in vehicle design, manufacturing, and operation. The video script highlights the role of computerization in improving engineering and design, as well as in meeting fuel economy and emission standards, indicating a shift towards more technologically advanced vehicles.

Highlights

Animals were initially used for mobility, which expanded human horizons.

The steam engine replaced animals, marking a significant step in mobility.

The internal combustion engine and oil discovery revolutionized individual transport.

German engineers Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler unveiled two pioneering vehicles in 1886.

Daimler first used the gasoline engine in a motorcycle before moving to carriages.

Carl Benz created the world's first automobile from scratch, patented in 1886.

Automobile races were held to establish the practicality of cars in Europe.

Automobiles were initially a luxury item in Europe.

The automobile took a different path in the United States, influenced by Daimler and William Steinway.

Charles Duryea built the first American automobile in 1893.

Henry Ford's Model T, introduced in 1908, was a car for the masses.

The Selden patent monopoly affected the automobile industry until it was overcome by Henry Ford.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened in 1909, marking a new era in car racing.

The Model T, with its assembly line production, became the most common car on the road by 1926.

Automobiles became a significant part of Hollywood and early cinema.

The 1920s saw the rise of General Motors as a major competitor to Ford.

The federal government aimed to establish a nationwide system of highways.

The automobile industry showcased advances like all-steel bodies and automatic transmissions at the 1939 World's Fair.

Automobile production ceased during World War II to focus on war materials.

Post-war, the automobile industry boomed with a significant increase in car production.

The 1950s saw the beginning of the interstate highway system, the largest public works project in history.

Volkswagen's Beetle became the world's most produced car in 1972, surpassing the Model T.

The 1973 gasoline shortage highlighted the automobile's dependency on oil resources.

Imports, particularly from Japan, began to dominate the American market, affecting Detroit's preeminence.

The automobile industry continues to evolve with computerization and advancements in engineering and design.

Transcripts

[Music]

it began when we realized animals could

carry us from one place to

another as the centuries rolled by we

used this Mobility to expand our

Horizons while at the same time seeking

even better ways to travel

we harnessed the power of steam and

began to replace animals with

engines but it was not until the

development of the internal combustion

engine and the discovery of pools of oil

deep in the earth that we were able to

achieve a basic Improvement in

individual transport

in

1886 two vehicles were unveiled only

months apart by German Engineers Carl

Benz and gotle

dler the automobile was

born got Le Daimler was the first to see

a wide variety of uses for the gasoline

burning internal combustion

engine he tried it first in a

motorcycle and when that was a success

he was ready to install his engine in a

carriage at the same time Carl Benz

working only 60 Mi away was developing

his own

vehicle but while dler was installing

his engine in a carriage Benz was

creating the world's first automobile

from

scratch it was successfully driven in

late

1885 and patented on January 29th

1886 which is the birth date of the

automobile daimler's vehicle made its

appearance a few months later

production spread from Germany to France

Italy and England and to help establish

the practicality of the automobile races

were held over the roads of the

continent these roads had been used for

many hundreds of years and were in

relatively good condition certainly much

better than those in North

America the race has attracted great

numbers of Spectators anxious to get

their first look at the vehicles that

would change their lives but the

automobile in Europe was still to a

great extent a play thing for the

wealthy and would continue to be so

until well into the 20th

century in the meantime the automobile

was taking quite a different Road in the

United States where the introduction of

the car came about through an 1888

agreement between Daimler and piano

manufacturer William Steinway

but it was Charles duer an Illinois

bicycle manufacturer who built the first

American

[Music]

Automobile it made its appearance on

September 20th

1893 2 years later he and his brother

Frank established the first American

company to manufacture

automobiles in 1896 a rather primitive

vehicle appeared one of the hundreds of

homebuilt cars of the time this one was

made by an obscure Detroit electric

company engineer named Henry

Ford another of the many experimenting

with cars was Ransom Old a Michigan

engine manufacturer who understood the

potential of the

automobile when a fire destroyed his

Detroit Factory in 1901 the only vehicle

to survive was a curved Dash model by

using it as a prototype and

subcontracting work to local shops SS

was able to produce 425 cars that

year a car designed not for the wealthy

but for everyone the curved Dash olds

mobile was a light sturdy economical

vehicle adapted to the harsh American

road

[Music]

conditions SS also realized that

producing a car was only half the battle

it was just as important to publicize it

which he did

[Music]

successfully one problem common to

everyone building cars at the turn of

the century was the Seldon

patent George B Seldon was a patent

attorney who actually invented nothing

but in 1895 he was awarded a patent on

all gasoline powered

vehicles as a result the manufacturer

and sale of any automobile without

paying royalties to Seldon was

illegal but if the Seldon Monopoly cut

into the profits of Manufacturers it did

not seem to dampen their enthusiasm as

more and more cars were built everyone

was anxious to prove the worth of his

vehicle and its ability to endure the

rigors of longdistance travel

in 1901 Roy chapen covered the 820 miles

from Detroit to New York in 8

Days 2 years later the first

transcontinental trip was completed in

64

days these and many other endurance runs

provided Millions with their first

glimpse of an

automobile spurred on by these long

distance Feats car owners were attracted

to the idea of the auto tour and they

set off in groups to explore the

country the first race held in the

United States took place in Chicago in

1895

and racing continued to be an integral

part of the automotive

scene the excitement of competition

helped promote the car and gave many the

urge to get behind the wheel

[Music]

themselves a major change however did

take place in racing as closed courses

began to replace public roads and point

to-point races Spectators were now able

to watch an event from beginning to

end the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

opened on August 19th

1909 and 1911 saw the birth of an

American sporting institution as the

first Indianapolis 500 was

[Music]

run in 1911 Henry Ford won a final Court

victory over the Seldon Monopoly and

could turn his full attention to

building the car that would alter the

face of the nation the Model

T more than 15 million were built

between 1908 and

1926 to keep up with demand Ford refined

the idea of the assembly line and the

company was soon turning out cars at the

rate of 1,000 a

day by 1926 2/3 of all cars on the road

were Model T's it was truly a car for

all the people the Model T also found a

place in the movies that were then

capturing the Public's imagination the

two industries had been developed at

about the same time and seemed to share

a common

appeal Hollywood was quick to discover

the thrill of the chase as the

automobile became an important part of

the screen's comedy antics

even racing driver Barney Oldfield

became a film hero for a brief moment as

he and Max Senate race to the rescue of

a Damsel in Distress

[Music]

the automobile as we know it today was

beginning to take shape hand cranking

had been eliminated in 1912 with the

introduction of the electric starter

heaters and windshield wipers became

standard equipment and the closed car

was replacing open

models as the 1920s began the population

in the United States edged pasted 100

million and there were 8 million cars

wending their way through Urban traffic

[Music]

jams Ford was still the leading

manufacturer but General Motors was

providing strong

competition General Motors came into

being in 1908 as a result of the the

vision of Billy Durant one of the more

colorful figures in Automotive

History Durant's dream was of an Empire

that would produce not a single

Universal car as in Ford's case but a

variety of Cars one as he would say for

every purse and

purpose beginning with his own Buick

company Durant acquired Oldsmobile then

Cadillac and a dozen other car and truck

builders but great promoter that he was

Durant was an inconsistent businessman

and was soon forced out of his

financially troubled

company an equally unsuccessful second

tenure at GM ended for Durant as the

depont interest stepped in to bail out

the

company management was turned over to

Alfred P Sloan whose business talents

brought General Motors to the top of the

industry

Walter Chrysler had left the Buick

division of General Motors in

1919 he admired Sloan's organizational

genius and became convinced the General

Motors approach was the right one

Chrysler unveiled his own car in

1924 and with the acquisition of Dodge

in 1928 was able to offer the range of

cars he felt to be necessary if a

company was to survive the changing

tastes of the buyer the last of the

major American companies was in

place as the decade rolled on cars were

improving as were the bad road

conditions still found in many parts of

the

country the federal government made one

of its goals the establishment of a

nationwide system of Highways and

throughout the country construction

Crews turned dirt roads into gravel

asphalt or concrete Riv

[Music]

funds were also made available for the

completion of the Lincoln

Highway and the country's first

transcontinental route wound its way

3400 M from coast to coast

as the number of paved roads increased

more and more people traveled by

car by

1929 45 million persons a year were

using the automobile to vacation and the

demand for roadside restaurants and

overnight accommodations grew

accordingly and the number of service

stations increased 10-fold during the

20s to over 120,000

nowhere was the impact of the automobile

as dramatic as in Los Angeles the City

built around the

car as thousands upon thousands of

people poured into this land of sunshine

and seeming abundance the automobile

allowed the city to

decentralize a car culture was spawned

that would be imitated throughout the

country in the decades

ahead even as the automobile was

establishing itself as an indispensable

part of everyday life it was also a

symbol of affluence American luxury cars

competed with with European Imports for

the attention of the upper class buyer

the 1930s however would be remembered

not for the occasional signs of opulence

but for the depression that gripped the

[Music]

country as dust choked the midsection of

our land the automobile provided a means

of Escape th thousands of families piled

the few belongings that would fit into

their cars or trucks and headed west to

a new

[Music]

life in the 30s cars outnumbered both

telephones and bathtubs in the United

States leading humorist Will Rogers to

observe that we are the first nation in

the history of the world to go to the

poor house in an

automobile in spite of the depression

the 1930s also saw the mileage of paved

roads more than double and bridges and

tunnels were the engineering marvels of

the

time people watched as the George

Washington Bridge spanned New York's

Hudson River and became the world's

longest suspension bridge it would be

followed by other equally imposing

structures

the decade came to a close on a high

note with the opening of the 1939

World's

[Music]

Fair the automobile industry was well

represented at the fair as it showed off

the advances cars had made in the 30s

all steel bodies for added durability

and safety automatic transmissions for

ease of driving

radios and air conditioning to increase

Comfort the fair showed Millions what

wonders awaited them but the hopes and

the dreams would have to wait for what

the future held was

war with the conflict already sweeping

across Europe we prepared for our

inevitable

involvement when we did enter the

conflict automobile production ceased

entirely as materials of War flowed off

our assembly lines for the duration

automakers alone would account for 1th

of America's total military output

when the troops came home they were

eager to find for themselves and their

families a piece of the American dream

for which they had

fought among the returning servicemen

was William levit who had ideas about

how to improve our standard of living he

would use an assembly line approach to

mass produce affordable housing

[Music]

as workers moved from house to house

each with an assigned task to perform

large tracks of suburban land were

transformed into row upon row of neat

little

houses a whole new way of life was

introduced as entire towns and

communities emerged with shopping

centers to take care of the new

suburbanites Central to this new

lifestyle was the automobile without it

The Exodus from City to suburb could not

have

occurred as Detroit returned to the

business of producing cars it found the

market filled with old cars and hungry

customers automobiles were sold as fast

as they could be made from only 83,000

cars produced in 1945 the number soared

to more than send a half million in

[Music]

1950 the automobile had appealed to the

young of every generation and so it was

in the ' 50s as they personalized their

cars haunted Drive-Ins and drag raced at

the drop of a hat

[Music]

racing of all kinds enjoyed popularity

from the Indianapolis 500 to

events at local

tracks stock car racing especially under

went spectacular growth during this

period as large crowds were drawn to

tracks such as this one in

[Music]

Atlanta but Power was not the only only

thing that attracted

buyers manufacturers turned to radical

styling changes Chrome and gadgetry to

win their share of the

market it was a far cry from the basic

black one model approach of Henry Ford

but a natural enough progression in the

stylistic evolution of the automobile in

the decades since the 1920s

[Music]

the 1950s also saw the beginning of the

interstate highway system the largest

single Public Works project

in the history of

[Music]

man now three decades later the system's

42,500 mil is virtually complete at a

cost of over $ 100

billion the impact of the interstate

highway network has been enormous as

arteries reached into every corner of

the nation trucks replaced trains as the

primary carrier of our

Goods cities were bypassed and where

highways met new communities sprang up

roadside services proliferated and at

Highway entrances and exits businesses

took rote

[Music]

as the 50s gave way to the 60s Supply

caught up with demand sensibility and

practicality returned to styling and

auto companies began turning out a wider

variety of cars in an effort to meet the

needs of a new phenomenon the multicar

family another Automotive development

took place in the ' 50s that would have

an enormous impact the few cars imported

from Europe were solidly engineered

luxury

cars now among these few Imports was an

oddl looking car from Germany a car that

didn't even have its engine where it was

supposed to

be at the beginning the Volkswagen

didn't make much of an impression in

fact it is said that when the first

Beetle arrived in the United States in

January of

1949 a few Customs officials had to be

convinced that it was a

[Music]

car only two were sold that first

year the company successfully urged

consumers to think

small and starting in the mid-50s

Volkswagen sales increased

dramatically early Beetle owners enjoyed

a camaraderie honking their horns in

greeting as they passed each other by

the late 1960s more than 400,000 beetles

a year were being being sold in the

United States and in

1972 the beetle broke the record held by

the Model T as the world's most produced

car Detroit took heed of the first real

threat to its continued dominance by

moving belatedly and somewhat

reluctantly into the production of

economical compact cars but the problems

faced by American manufacturers

continued to mount in the 1960s critics

led by Ralph nater attacked the safety

of automobiles as well as their negative

impact on our

environment they took their causes to

Congress looking for government

intervention and

regulation in

1973 a gasoline shortage hit the country

dealing Detroit another blow as

consumers waited on service station

lines they were forced to realize the

automobile was using up the world's oil

resources at an alarm in

rate some turn to the economy offered by

diesel cars manufactured in Europe where

this technology had long been

[Music]

utilized but for most economy-minded car

buyers the answer was to be found in

Japanese

Imports these cars increased American

awareness of the quality workmanship in

many of the foreign products

and further eroded Detroit's

preeminence how serious was the effect

of overseas production on the American

industry in 1960 Imports accounted for 7

and a 12% of the cars sold in the United

States in 1970 their market share was

15% and by 1980 it was

27% over 2 million imported cars most of

them from Japan are sold in the United

States every

year and what can we look for in the

automobile 2

Century has the revolution in individual

transport begun by Carl Benz and gotle

Daimler reached its ultimate

Point not at

all there are many questions to be

answered many goals yet to be reached

[Music]

manufacturers around the world are

utilizing computerization to improve

engineering and

[Music]

design microprocessors keep cars within

the bounds of fuel economy and emission

standards while monitoring and

controlling engine operation under all

kinds of driving

[Music]

conditions after centuries of trying

after 100 Years of the automobile we

continue to seek still better safer ways

to get from place to place

[Music]

w

[Music]