A Short history of Automobile Manufacture
The manufacture of automobiles is one of the drivers of the world’s economy.
Without automobiles, life, as we know it, would not be possible.
Automobiles are usually defined as wheeled vehicles that are equipped with their own motors.
There are different types of automobile; like motorcycles, buses, trucks and cars.
Automobiles now reign over the lands of the world.
The world “automobile” is taken from the Greek and Latin words “autos” and “movere”
which collectively means- moving by itself. Automobiles have become the transporters of the modern world.
History of automotive manufacturing
Karl Benz is acknowledged as the inventor of the modern automobile.
There were other scientists who were working on similar projects
at about the same time.
Some of these scientists are Gottlieb Daimler, Mannheim, and Wilhelm Maybach.
Steam Forefathers
Steam powered vehicles began to appear towards the end of the 18th century.
Nicolas Cugnot was the first person to invent a car which was propelled by steam in 1769.
Four-stroke engines
A major innovation in the development of the automobile was the invention of the four-stroke engine.
Many historians say that Nikolaus Otto, a German inventor, developed the very first four-stroke automobile engine.
However, the patent for the invention of the four-stroke engine belongs to Beau de Rochas of France.
He wrote a long pamphlet describing a design for a four-stroke engine,
he had them reproduced and distributed them in Paris, France.
But he failed to build a working four-stroke engine.
Karl Benz
Karl Benz was successful in building a car with three wheels.
He did this in 1885 and continued to develop improvements during the following years.
He was bold enough to go into producing his cars in 1888.
Only 25 vehicles were produced during the five years of production.
In 1893, Karl Benz’s four-wheeled vehicle was introduced.
These cars were powered by four-stroke engines which Karl Benz had designed.
The cars made a bigger impression in France than in Germany because
the people were more open to the idea of automobiles.
Mass Production
The so-called assembly line was first developed by Ransom Olds.
The assembly line is a major development not only in automobile manufacturing but in the industrial manufacture of goods in general.
Henry Ford was responsible for expanding the use of the assembly line.
Developments
The first automobiles were compared to horse carriages.
People described these automobiles as horseless carriages.
During the 1920s, there was rapid development in terms of automobile technology and design.
The automobile became sleeker and faster as time passed.
In fact, too fast for some, for a time there was a law in the UK that an automobile
must be proceeded by someone on foot with a red flag.
Current Status
Over 60 million automobiles are produced worldwide each year.
There are several issues that now drive progress in the motor industry
such as safety issues and technological issues.
Many modern innovations have been developed to make the automobile as safe as possible.
Air bags, seat belts,
and other safety devices have been developed and are still being developed
to provide security and safety for the passengers.
The use of clean technologies is also being promoted, not just by environmentalists,
because the transportation industry (ibcluding both land and air transportation)
are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
The automobile has changed the world in many ways,
it has impacted on almost every facet of modern life.
Automobiles have come a long way in the last 100 years but
they are still being developed and we are still seeing many important changes and innovations.
Best Twin: History of the Douglas Motor Cycle
Published: September 09, 1974 Unknown Binding
List Price: £5.50
The Definitive History of Wilts and Dorset Motor Services Ltd, 1915-1972
Published: November 30, 2006 Hardcover
List Price: £19.95
Amazon Price: £18.95 Prices subject to change.
You Save: £1.00 ( 5%)
 The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile: Coachbuilding (National Motor Museum)
Published: September 07, 2001 Hardcover
List Price: £75.00
Amazon Price: £71.25 Prices subject to change.
You Save: £3.75 ( 5%)
 Mini: The True and Secret History of the Making of a Motor Car
Published: May 07, 2009 Hardcover
List Price: £16.99
Amazon Price: £9.34 Prices subject to change.
You Save: £7.65 (45%)
 The Glory of Goodwood : The Spiritual Home of British Motor Racing
Published: September 16, 1999 Hardcover
List Price: £35.00
 Design of Brushless Permanent-Magnet Motors (Monographs in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 37)
Published: 1994 Hardcover
List Price: £84.07
Aston Martin Thrill - Price Reduction
- Was £149, Now £99 - SAVE £40!
The Aston Martin is a hand-crafted sports car that offers electrifying performance and outstanding agility.
Its low, purposeful stance is both elegant yet aggressive.
Experience one of the worlds most exhilarating high performance sports cars.
This is the perfect Xmas gift for any fast car enthusiast!
motor-products.co.uk
motor-products.co.uk
|
