Automobiles are a normal part of our lives, but it wasn't always that way. Our modern vehicles began to be imagined as far back as the 14th century. With a long evolution and a rich and interesting history, cars and trucks have traveled a long road to reach the commonplace status they now hold. If you've ever wondered how modern vehicles came about, take a look at the story of the godfathers of the modern machine. You'll have a brand new appreciation the next time you turn your key.
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As early as the 14th century, inventors and thinkers like Leonardo da Vinci were imagining ways to move people without the use of animal power. But even in da Vinci's day, the idea of an engine was still a faraway thought. It would be three more centuries to develop anything resembling a modern engine. In 1770, Paris inventor Nicholas Cugnot created a steam engine powerful enough to achieve a top speed of two miles per hour. Although his idea was impractical, it eventually evolved into the more familiar gas combustion engine by the early 1800s. Then, it would take almost 100 years for engine designs to be workable enough for production.
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Enterprising manufacturers managed to create 4,192 cars during their first year of production in 1900. Costing around $1,000, the handmade cars were expensive and considered a luxury for more affluent members of society. Although few people could afford them, famous names like Ford, Rambler, and Cadillac got their start during this pivotal point of automotive history.
By 1903, a young inventor named Ransom Olds had created eleven different models including the Runabout. When the Runabout gathered popularity and the demand increased, Olds had to head back to the drawing board. He quickly realized that he would need to outsource the creation of the car’s parts. His concept of outsourcing — along with Cadillac's idea of interchangeable parts —were realizations that would change the entire industry.
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Bearing the ideas of Olds and Cadillac in mind, Henry Ford took things one step further. With interchangeable parts and outsourced materials, Ford perfected the assembly line. The quick assembly and the ability to mass produce the Model-T allowed the price to be lowered, making cars more readily available to the public. As early as 1914, the Ford Motor Company could produce one car every fifteen minutes.
At the very height of Ford's success, World War I began to rage. The need for heavy machinery and troop transportation pushed manufacturers even further. Engines were developed to have more than four cylinders, hydraulic braking systems were created, and the blueprint of the automatic transmission was laid.
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By 1940, auto manufacturers were producing enough vehicles to outfit World War II. When the war came to a close, society integrated automobiles like never before. As production moved away from the military sector and back into the civilian sector, more and more companies began popping up around the world. U.S. producers were now forced to compete with makers like Toyota, Volkswagen, and Saab.
While most automakers were still making the same style of car they were making before the war, Studebaker came out with a complete redesign in 1947. The bigger, flashier body style immediately turned the heads of other manufactures, and they began to follow suit. By 1950, over 40 million cars were being driven daily. Nearly 60% of all American households were car owners.
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Even though automobiles were more popular, not a lot had changed under the hood. Without many mechanical things to talk about, makers began to focus on the cosmetic appeal. The three-toned paint jobs, tail fins, and additions of chrome that define the '50s were on full display, but it wasn't quite enough to further sway consumers.
To bolster sales, more attention was placed on additional mechanical features like fuel injection, convertible hardtops, and dimming headlights. It was also during this time that purchasing cars on credit became the norm. However, Ford's failure with the Edsel left the door open for more changes to come — changes that would shape the market into the form that we know now.
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During the '60s, manufacturers were listening to their consumer's needs. Smaller vehicles like the Ford Falcon and the Chevrolet Corvair were introduced and helped to prop up a lagging market. By 1964, cars like the Mustang and the Corvette gave rise to a more competitive playing field and a true change in thinking.
With the invention of racier, faster, muscle cars, manufacturers managed to once again capture the imaginations of the public. However, the fuel crisis of the '70s forced makers to think differently once again. The public was now demanding cars that were more fuel-efficient and less expensive to operate. Cars like the Honda Civic began infiltrating the U.S. market, and U.S. makers were forced to keep up.
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Sometimes considered the best decade in automotive history, the need for smaller cars with better mileage during the '80s let designers run wild. Throughout the decade, the focus was placed on performance and consumer needs. Even previous racers like the Ford Thunderbird were redesigned to seat four while not losing its classic, sleek appeal. By the 1990s and early 2000s, cars were more efficient and moderately priced than ever before. Many manufacturers began to explore the late 20th-century idea of electric cars, hybrids, and perfecting the aerodynamic designs of the 1980s. Today, automobile history continues to evolve. While makers like Tesla are pushing the envelope with all-electric, bulletproof, self-driving cars, giants like Ford and General Motors remain consumer-focused and are constantly adjusting functionality to meet modern demand.
