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Milestones In Auto History 1600 William Gilbert was an attending physician to Queen Elizabeth I of England and was the first person to use the word "electric" 1678 Dutch scientist Christian Huygens designs the first internal combustion engine. Huygen envisioned powering his engine with gunpowder, though the engine was never built 1680 Sir Isaac Newton envisions a vehicle powered by a "jet of steam." 1698 English inventor Thomas Savery developed the first steam engine. Savery's dangerous contraption was prone to spontaneous explosions. 1711 Fellow Brit, Thomas Newcomen, improves upon Thomas Savery's steam engine. 1725 Nicolas Cugnot, godfather of the automobile was born 1729 The English physicist Stephen Gray discovered electrical conductivity in 1729 1745 Alessandro Volta is born 1748 William Cullen of Scotland, developed the concept of mechanical / chemical refrigeration. 1755 William Cullen cooled water by drawing a vacuum over it. This was the earliest known attempt at vapor compression refrigeration. 1763 R. Tredwell patents the coil spring. The coil spring offered the advantage of not having to be periodically spread apart and lubricated to keep them from squeaking. 1769 Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot built the first automobile. Rather than gasoline, Cugnot’s automobile was powered by steam. 1769 James Watt patents a reliable steam that would go on to be used broadly and helped power the British Industrial Revolution. Early in the development of automobiles, steam was a legitimate competing design to the combustion engine. 1775 André Marie Ampère is born 1789 German physicist Georg Simon Ohm is born 1790s Giovanni Battista Venturi conducts research that will be applied 100 years later with the inclusion of a Venturi tube in carburetors. 1799 Italian inventor Alessandro Volta discovers the means of converting chemical energy into electrical energy and formed the basis for the modern battery. 1800 Charles Goodyear was born 1801 Britis engineer Richard Trevithick, developed an an experimental steam-powered automobile 1804 Nicolas Cugnot, inventor of a steam powered vehicle dies at the age of 79 1803 Richard Trevithick road tested an improved steam- powered vehicle. Trevithick's vehicle registered a maximum sustained speed of 12 mph. 1803 Thomas Moore builds a box-within-a-box for the sole purpose of preserving food and calls it the "refrigerator" 1804 The modern leaf spring was invented by Obadiah Elliot of London. Elliot’s design consisted of stacked steel plates of varying lengths on top of one another, and bolted together. A large U-bolt fastened the spring to the axles. 1804 American inventor Oliver Evans designed a steam-powered vehicle that was 30 feet long and weighed in at a whopping 15 tons. 1805 Oliver Evans proposed a closed circuit vapor compression system. 1807 Francois Isaac de Rivaz of Switzerland invented an unsuccessful internal combustion engine that used a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen for fuel. 1817 The famous railway-engineering career George Stephenson, designed a pneumatic suspension system for the British Kilmarnock and Troon Railway. Elements of his design would later be applied to automobiles 1824 Michael Faraday discovers the principle of absorption type refrigeration. 1824 English engineer, Samuel Brown adapted an old steam engine to burn gas. 1825 William Sturgeon invents the electromagnet 1925 Akron, the future tire capital of the world, was founded by Simon Perkins 1827 Alessandro Volta dies 1831 Michael Faraday discovers the principles of the induction coil. 1832 Nicolaus Otto is born 1832 W. H. James invented a rudimentary three-speed transmission 1834 Gottlieb Daimler is born 1834American inventor Jacob Perkins obtained the first patent for the first vapor-compression refrigeration system 1836 French scientist André Marie Ampère dies of pneumonia at the age of 61 1839 Charles Goodyear discovers vulcanization. This process transformed raw rubber into a firm but pliable material which was perfect for making tires 1839 Edmond Berger invents the spark plug 1839 Robert Anderson of Scotland is believed to have built the first electrically-powered vehicle. Nearly all electric automobiles built in the early to mid 1800s were failures. 1840 John Boyd Dunlop is born 1840s Using the vulcanization process, solid rubber tires are manufactured and installed on horse drawn carriages. The tires are sturdy and wear reasonably well. In addition, the new tires provided a greater degree of cushion over traditional metal wheels. 1844 Charles Goodyear granted a patent for vulcanized rubber 1844 Karl Friedrich Benz is born 1845 Scottish engineer R.W. Thompson patented an inflatable rubber wagon tire. Thompson’s wheel consisted of a heavy rubber outer layer stretched around metal rims and an inflatable tube. Thompson’s invention was the world’s first pneumatic tire. However, his invention gained little attention. 1847 A spring consisting of alternating discs of rubber and steel is developed 1850 A heat absorption machine was developed using water and sulfuric acid. Using ammonia as refrigerant and water as absorbent, this became the first successful absorption system to gain commercial importance during the 19th and 20th century 1851 Dr. John Gorrie received a U.S. Patent for the first viable machine for refrigeration and air conditioning 1852 Studebaker begins manufacturing wagons, buggies, and carriages 1852 Lord Kelvin developed the heat pump concept 1853 Andre Michelin is born 1854 Samuel McKeen of Nova Scotia designed the first version of the odometer, a device that measures mileage driven. His was attached to the side of a carriage and measured the miles with the turning of the wheels 1854 Tetraethyl, lead was first discovered by a German chemist. Later, tetraethyl would be added to gasoline as an aniti-knock additive. 1854 German physicist Georg Simon Ohm dies 1857 German physics professor Heinrich Rudolf Hertz is born 1858 Belgian engineer, Jean Joseph Étienne Lenoir designed an internal combustion engine 1859 French physicist Gaston Plante invented the lead acid storage battery. 1859 Edwin Drake strikes oil in Titusville, Pennsylvania. Interestingly, gasoline was considered a useless side product and was frequently dumped out onto the ground 1859 Commercial production of petroleum began in Titusville, Pennsylvania 1859 Edouard Michelin is born 1860 Etienne Lenoir of Belgium patents a two stroke combustion engine. 1860 Belgian Etienne Lenoir, built and patented the first practical internal-combustion engine. Lenoir's engine burned illuminating gas 1861 Robert Bosch is born 1861 Charles Duryea is born 1862 Etienne Lenoir built and drove an experimental vehicle equipped with his gas-engine. 1862 Alphonse Beau de Rochas, a French scientist, patented but did not build a four-stroke engine 1863 Etienne Lenoir attached an improved engine and a primitive carburetor to wagon that traveled over fifty-miles 1864 Austrian Siegfried Marcus built a one-cylinder engine that used a primitive carburetor and a magneto system 1864 Austrian engineer, Siegfried Marcus, built a one-cylinder engine with a crude carburetor. Marcus attached his engine to a cart and drove his prototype gas-powered vehicle for approximately 500 feet. Marcus is credited with driving the world's first gasoline-powered vehicle 1865 Owners of horse-drawn bus lines lobbied the British Parliament to pass a law limiting the use of steam powered buses on highways. In response, Parliament passed the Red Flag Law. The law stipulated that a self-powered machine was required to drive at a speed of no more than 3 mph, with a man carrying a red flag walking in front. 1866 German engineers Nikolaus August Otto and Eugen Langen designed a more efficient gas engine. 1867 Georges Leclanche of France invents the dry cell battery. The battery depends on a damp paste rather than liquid. 1869 Frank Durryea is born 1870s Bicycle wheel bearing technology is improved. Solid metal bearings replace soft metal bushings, and conical friction-bearings. Soon wheel bearing technology crosses over from bicycles and is applied to automobiles. 1870 Dr. Benjamin Franklin Goodrich starts the B.F. Goodrich Tire Company in Akron, Ohio 1870s Goodrich manufactures solid rubber tires for carriages and bicycles 1871 Continental Tire was founded in Hannover Germany 1872 George Brayton of Boston patents an American gasoline engine. 1872 David Boyle designs a refrigeration machine based on the compression of ammonia 1872 George Brayton of Boston patented a gasoline engine 1872 Giovanni Battista Pirelli launches G.B.Pirelli & C. partnership "for the manufacture and sale of elastic rubber". 1873 American George Brayton developed an unsuccessful two-stroke kerosene engine 1875 Siegfried Marcus built a vehicle powered by a gasoline engine and his rotating brush carburetion device. 1876 The sulfur dioxide compressor was developed 1876 Germans Eugene Langen and Nikolaus August Otto improved upon Siegfried Marcus' engine and produced the first workable 4-stroke internal combustion gas engine. Gottlieb Daimler was involved in the engine's design 1876 Nikolaus Otto built a prototype four-cycle engine known as the “Otto cycle.” 1876 The first successful two-stroke engine was invented by Sir Dougald Clerk 1876 Eugene Langen and Nikolaus August Otto improved upon Siegfried Marcus' engine by building the first workable 4-stroke internal combustion gas engine. 1876 Dr. Willis H. Carrier, known as the “Father of Air Conditioning” is born 1879 Attorney George B. Selden, applied for and received at patent for the automobile. Interestingly, while Selden had never built a car he was able to file claims against automobile manufacturers. Seldon's claims were ultimately thrown out. 1881 Ettore Bugatti is born 1882 Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse receive a patent for the electric fan 1883 Count Albert de Dion-le Val, Georges Bouton and Charles-Armand Trépardoux begin producing steam-powered vehicles 1883 German Wilhelm Daimler patented a more efficient, 4-stroke, gasoline-fueled engine. Earlier engines had usually been powered by hydrogen or turpentine vapors. [:b]1883 French engineer, Edouard Delamare-Debouteville, designed a single-cylinder four-stroke engine that ran on stove gas. While it is unclear weather the Frenchman ever built his engine, its design in notable for its high degree of sophistication and advanced design. 1883 Warren Johnson invents the first automatic temperature control. Afterward, Johnson formed the Johnson Electric Service Company, the predecessor to Johnson Control 1884 William Whiteley created the first air conditioned vehicle. Whiteley placed blocks of ice in a holder under horse carriages. A fan attached to the axle blew over the ice and cooled the passenger compartment. 1885 Wilhelm Daimler mounted a more efficient, 4-stroke, gasoline-fueled engine on a bicycle. Daimler's engine burned gasoline rather than earlier models that tended to burn turpentine vapors or hydrogen. 1885 Wilhelm Daimler's first engine was mounted on a bicycle and became a prototype of the modern motorcycle 1885 Carl Benz successfully tested a gasoline powered engine mounted on an automobile frame. The engine produced about 1/2 horsepower and allowed Benz to drive the vehicle around 8 to 10 mph. 1885 Gottlieb Daimler invented what is often recognized as the prototype of the modern gas engine. Daimler's engine featured a carburetor and was powered by gasoline. 1885 Gottlieb Daimler was granted a German patent for his one-cylinder, water-cooled engine design 1885 In Mannheim Germany, Carl Benz successfully tested his first gasoline powered motor vehicle. The automobile was remarkable for its day. The power source consisted of a 1-hp, 1-cylinder engine. In addition, the vehicle was designed with an electric ignition, carburetor, a water cooling system, differential, mechanical valves, and a braking system. Lastly, the wooden two seater body was mounted on a steel chassis. Steering used a boat-like tiller. His automobile had a top speed between 8-10 mph 1886 Charles F. Kettering was born in Ohio 1886 Karl Benz received the first patent for a gas-fueled car 1887 Dr. Graham Edgar, developer of the octane rating system is born. 1887 Daimler built and installed his vertical single-cylinder engine into a 4-wheeled, converted carriage with encouraging results. It had an increased horsepower of 900 rpm (as compared to Benz's 300 rpm) and was the first high-speed internal combustion engine, developing one and one-half horsepower. 1888 Albert of Dion won the first Paris to Versailles auto race. Albert drove a steam-powered vehicle that was equipped with two large front wheels and two small rear wheels. He beat-out the field (including his business partner) by completing the race with an average speed of less than 13 mph 1888 Belfast Ireland native John Boyd Dunlop patented pneumatic bicycle tires. Dunlop stretched a thin rubber sheet covered with fabric over the bicycle wheel and inflated the tire. Dunlop’s tire reduced vibration, was lighter and dramatically improved traction. Due to the rise in popularity of bicycles, Dunlop’s re-invention of Thompson’s earlier patent was warmly received. The following year Dunlop sold his patent to Harvey du Cross, Jr., who went on to start the Dunlop Rubber Company. 1889 Shojiro Ishibashi, the founder of Bridgestone, is born 1889 Harvey Du Cross Jr purchased the patent for pneumatic bicycle tires from John Boyd Dunlop 1889 Daimler built an improved four-stroke engine with mushroom-shaped valves and two V-slant cylinders. 1890 Pirelli launches a new rubber division to produce pneumatic bicycle tires 1890 Wilhelm Maybach built the first four-cylinder, four-stroke engine. 1890 Ralph Teetor, inventor of cruise control is born 1890 Edwin H. Armstrong, inventor of the basic electronic circuits underlying all modern radio, radar, and televisions is born 1890 The Travelers Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut issues the first individual auto insurance policy 1891 Nicolaus Otto dies 1891 Michelin was granted a patent for a detachable tire. 1892 Eugene Houdry born 1892 Charles and Frank Duryea design a horseless carriage that will be powered by a two cylinder engine 1892 Continental began production of pneumatic (air filled) bicycle tires. 1892 More than 1,000 attend an organizational meeting in Chicago of National League for Good Roads. The organization was established to lobby for national road legislation. 1892 Alexander Brown and George Stillman patent an inflatable pneumatic automobile tire. Although other inventors built inflatable automobile tires, they had not yet applied for a patent. 1893 Charles and Frank Duryea built the first successful gasoline powered automobile in the United States. 1893 Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to issue license plates. 1893 Charles and Frank Duryea introduce what has been recognized as America's first successful internal combustion horseless carraige. They named their invention a "buggyaut." 1893 The first use of a dry single-plate clutch was employed by the Duryea brothers. However, prior to the introduction of durable friction material, clutches tended to wear out within a few hundred miles 1893 Dr. Wilhelm Maybach develops the spray-nozzle carburetor. 1893 Rudolf Diesel received a German patent for his invention of the diesel engine. Unlike gasoline powered engines, the diesel engine burns fuel oil and relies on compressed air rather than a spark to ignite the fuel. Diesel engines would later become popular in European automobiles, but would make their greatest impact in large equipment and industrial machinery. 1894 Svante August Arrhenius begins calculations that lead to the conclusion that doubling of C02 would lead to average temperature increase of 5 to 6ºC, and that increasing use of fossil fuels could create this problem. According to Arrhenius, "It would allow all our descendants, even if they only be those of a distant future, to live under a warmer sky and a less harsh environment than we were granted." 1894 The Michelin brothers produced a pneumatic tire for cars. 1894 French manufacturer Emile Levassor designs a basic automobile component layout that is still widely used today. He placed the engine was in front, followed by the clutch, gearbox, propeller shaft, and differential and driving axle 1894 The modern transmission was introduced by Louis-Rene Panhard and Emile Levassor 1894 The Paris-Rouen race is won by a steam-powered vehicle driven by De Dion-Bouton 1894 The Vacheron introduced the steering wheel. Previously automobiles were equipped with a rudder, similar to those found on boats. 1894 Heinrich Rudolf Hertz dies is at the young age of 36 1894 Alexander Strauss invented a process that would allow fabric to stretch in one direction. This fabric process would impact tire production 17 years later. 1895 Michelin entered a car in a 350-mile race from Paris to Bordeaux. The car had rubber air filled tires and suffered over 20 flats before the race was over. Their inflatable tire was declared a failure. 1895 The Duryea brothers established the Duryea Motor Wagon Company 1895 Frank Duryea wins America's first automobile race. The motorist raced through snow from Chicago's Jackson Park to Evanston, Illinois and back. Duryea beat out the competition over the 54 mile course in just over 10 hours with an average speed of 7.3 miles per hour. Duryea claimed a purse of $2,000. 1896 Dr. Wilhelm Maybach and Gottlieb Daimler of Germany had teamed up to build an automobile equipped with a float-type spray carburetor 1896 Henry Wells of New York City is recorded as being involved in America's first automobile accident. While driving, his Duryea, Wells struck a bicyclist. The cyclist suffered a broken leg and the driver was promptly hauled off to jail, where he spent the night. 1896 Henry Ford built an internal combustion engine from plans he read in a magazine. 1896 J.R. Heath applied many of the basic design concepts of railway pneumatic suspension and applied it to the automobile for the first time. Heath’s design included annular air bags around the axle ends in conjunction with springs. 1896 Goodrich production of automobile tires began 1897 While working for Mercedes, Wilhelm Maybach began working on a new type of radiator. Earlier radiators required a large amount of water and were relatively inefficient. Engine size and power was limited due to the large amount of heat that an engine would produce. To produce more powerful engines would require a more efficient disipation of heat. Early radiators were relatively inefficient and consumed large amounts of water. To accomodate the large amount of water, automobiles wereequipped with very large, heavy coolant circuits. Maybach's 1897 radiator design consisted a large number of small tubes which were flushed by coolant and supplimentally cooled by airflow. 1897 Stanley began producing the Staneley Steamer automobiles 1897 A. Gimmig recorded the first use of a crude shock absorber. Gimmig’s design included rubber blocks attached to the top of each leaf spring. When the suspension was compressed sufficiently, the rubber bumpers hit bolts that were attached to the frame. 1898 Named after Charles Goodyear, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company was founded by Frank Seiberling. Production began with just 13 workers. The product line consisted of carriage and bicycle tires. 1898 Continental Tire launched its first production of pneumatic automobile tires 1898 Henry Ford completes a second motorcar. Shortly after its completion, Ford received financial backing for a commercial automobile manufacturing business. However, within a year the venture failed. 1898 The first modern shock absorbers were introduced on the bicycle of French cyclist J. M. M. Truffault. Truffault’s incorporated a suspended front fork with springs and friction device that reduced oscillations. One year later Truffault’s suspension concept would inspire a new automotive suspension design. 1898 Aproximately 50 newly formed automotive clubs exist in the United States 1898 Michelin introduced Bibendum, the round character known as the Michelin Man 1898 Louis Renault completed the layout of a transmission equipped with a drive shaft and universal joints that drove differential located on a rear axle. Renault’s transmission allowed for more power in the lower gears and more speed in the higher gears. 1899 Daimler introduces the floor-mounted accelerator 1899 Belgian Camille Jenatzy broke the world speed record by achieving a speed of 65 mph in an electric-powered engine. 1899 Renault delivers the first automobile drive shaft equipped with a universal joint 1899 Studebaker began producing auto bodies 1899 Camille Jenatzy, of France, drove an experimental electric car sixty mph. However, the high speed burned out both batteries. Interest in Jenatzy's electric automobile short circuited. 1899 Universal joint for shaft drive to sprung rear axles 1899 B. F. Goodrich invented demountable rims which allows automobiles to carry spare tires. Demountable rims provided motorists with the ability to simply swap the flat tire with a fully inflated spare. 1899 An American automobile enthusiast named Edward Harford inspected Truffault’s suspension and instantly recognized its potential application for the automobile. Both Hartford and Truffault installed their shock absorber on an Oldsmobile. Their suspension consisted of a pair of levers hinged together and buffered by a rubber pad at the pivot point. One lever arm was attached to the frame and the other lever was bolted to the leaf spring. An adjustable bolt located at the hinge could be tightened or loosened to adjust the ride’s firmness. Their Truffault-Hartford suspension unit was the first adjustable automotive shock absorber. 1899 The word "petrol" was first coined in 1899, by the "Carless, Capel and Leonard Company", at the suggestion of Frederick Simms, who imported the first Daimler into UK. The fuel earlier used to be called by the name "petroleum spirit" 1899 GM engineer Clyde Coleman invents the electric self-starter. 1899 The Akron Ohio police department purchases a motorized wagon 1899 Freelan O. Stanley tests his steam-powered automobile, the Stanley Steamer 1899 August Horch began a car company. His company would later evolve into the Auto-Union auto company and and eventually Audi 1899 The U.S. Post Office Department experiments with the use of motor vehicles 1899 The honeycomb radiator is invented 1900-1910 Hospitals begin experimenting with the use of customized ambulances. 1900 Gottlieb Daimler dies 1900 Anne Rainsford French of Washington, D.C., was awarded a "Steam Engineeer's License, Locomobile Class," on March 22, 1900. French is believed to be one of the first women to receive a driver's license. 1900 Michelin printed and distributed one of the first travel guides 1900 The W.E. Roach Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ran the first national automobile ad to appear in a national magazine. The ad appeared in the Saturday Evening Post. 1900 Auto manufacturers begin transitioning from steering tillers to steering wheels en masse. 1900 Wilhelm Maybach improved upon his 1897 radiator design with the honeycomb radiator. The new radiator design consisted of over 8,000 small square tubes, each aproximately six millimeters in diameter and soldered into a rectangular design. The new radiator required aproximately half the amount of water used in earlier radiators. A small fan behind the radiator improved cooling efficiency at slow speeds. The new honeycomb radiator had much greater surface area than any earlier radiator. Maybach's radiator dramatically increased the heat disipation and in so doing paved the way for engines with dramatically increased power. 1900 The nation's total hard-road surface was just under 40,000 miles. 1900 Firestone Tire & Rubber Company was launched by 31-year-old inventor and entrepreneur named Harvey S. Firestone. He started production in Akron, Ohio with 12 employees. 1900-1920s Improvements to the Maybach design between 1900 and the late 1920s led to the jet-compensated carburetor. 1900 British inventor Butler applied the Venturi principle to a float carburetor 1901 A renowned British surgeon, who had been knighted by Queen Victoria, spoke glowingly of the health benefits provided by the rough ride of most automobile’s of the day. In a 1901 edition of the Journal of Medicine, Dr. William Thomas proclaimed "I have found my drives to improve my general health," Sir Thomas stated. "The jolting which occurs when a motor car is driven at fair speed conduces to healthy agitation that acts on the liver. This aids the peristaltic movements of the bowels and promotes the performance of their functions." 1901 New York requires all automobiles to carry a license plate. Automobile owners were required to pay a one dollar fee and provide their name and addresse, as well as a brief description of their vehicle. In return, owners received a license tag that bore the drivers initials and stood aproximately 3 inches high. 1901 C.L. Horock invented the first modern shock absorber. Horock’s absorber was called “the telescopic shock absorbe” and the basic concept is in use today. 1901 Frederick Simms invented the first car fender 1901 M. A. Yeakley devised an early version of independent suspension. In Yeakley’s design, all four wheels were independently supported by air acting on pistons connected to the axles 1901 Oldsmobile produces a record 425 automobiles, Oldsmobiles, making Ransom Olds the first mass-producer of gasoline automobiles. 1902 Frederick Lanchester invented disc brakes 1902 Dr. Willis H. Carrier, the "Father of Air Conditioning," designed his first air conditioning system 1902 Locomobile was the first American car with a four-cylinder, water-cooled, front-mounted gasoline engine 1902 Hydraulic shock absorbers first appear on race cars competing during the 1902-1903 racing season 1902 "Mercedes" is registered as a trademark 1902 Packard patented the “H” gear shift pattern 1902 The American Automobile Association (AAA) is formed 1902 Studebaker, the one time wagon builders, begin manufacturing automobiles 1902 Universal joints were first introduced 1902 David Dunbar Buick, a manufacturer of enamel bath-tubs and plumbing fixtures, launched the Buick automobile company. William Durant, the founder of General Motors eventually bought the company. 1902 Leather lined brake shoes appeared in 1902 1902 Minnesota receives its first horseless carriage, an electric powered, six-seater automobile 1903 Mary Anderson patented the first working windshield wiper 1903 Georges Bouton and Count Albert de Dion of France developed a lightweight, high speed engine. Named the "Polulaire," their engine was capable of producing 8 hp at 1500 rpm, with a cubic capacity of 846 cm3 (52 in3). Remarkably, the engine weighed only 40 lb. 1903 Demountable rims meant that flat tires could be easily switched with a spare tire, rather than having to actually remove the tire from the wheel at the scene. 1903 Tilt steering wheels appear in Grand Prix racing 1903 Frenchmen , Albert de Dion and Georges Bouton develop a light, high speed engine called they Christened the "Polulaire." Their engine was capable of producing 8 hp at 1500 rpm. 1903 P.W. Litchfield of the Goodyear Tire Company applied for a patent for the first tubeless tire. Litchfield’s patent incorporated a two-piece assembly based on a design introduced by the Hardman company. Oddly, even though the tubeless patent was granted, it wasn’t until the launch of the 1954 Packard that the tubeless tire was included on new automobiles. 1903 Mercedes developed a braking system with internally-expanding shoes inside a brake drum 1903 Float carburetor inventors Daimler and Maybach manufactured a new car that they named after an investor’s daughter, Mercedes. The Mercedes name went with Daimler when he joined Benz. 1903 1903 The Ford Motor Company is established. Ford's first automobile was the Model A and sold for $850. 1904 The Office of Public Roads Inquiries institutes a one-year engineer trainee program for selected college graduates. 1904 Carl Fisher and James Allison formed the Prest-O-Lite Company and patented a new acetylene gas head-light 1904 The Sturtevant brothers of Boston produced the first automatic transmission 1904 A car called the Christie featured a tire on a mountable rim. The tire and rim could be removed to allow the motorist to repair a flat along the roadside. 1904 Panhard and Levassor introduced a sliding gear manual transmission which was promptly adopted by most carmakers 1904 Ford launches the Model B, selling for $2,000. 1905 Shell Oil claims to have opened the first service station 1905 The term "air conditioning" was coined by Stuart Cramer to describe his system for regulating the temperature and humidity inside a textile factory 1905 The Office of Public Roads is established with an annual budget of $50,000 and 10 employees 1905 Louis Renault designed a shock absorber with a double-ended piston. The piston was housed in a cylinder and provided variable resistance based on the amount of oscillating force acting on the piston. 1905 Firestone began a relationship with Ford Motor Company that would endure for nearly a century. 1905 Electric automobiles are competing with both steam powered and combustion engines for market share. Electric car experiments revolve around creating powerful enough batteries to extend the drivetime of automobiles. 1906 1906 Willis Carrier patents his new air conditioning system, calling it an "Apparatus for Treating Air." 1906 The first gas pump in the US was installed 1906 The "Coyote," produced in California, introduced a power plant very different from those of the past: a V-8 engine. 1906 The "Coyote" is the first V-8 produced 1906 Otto Zachow and William Besserdich of Clintonville, Wisconsin, built a car with the first successful 4-wheel-drive unit. 1906 Societa Italinana Automobili Darracq (SIAD) is founded. Later, SIAD would become Alfa Romeo 1906 The Hartford Suspension Co., opened in Jersey City, New Jersey. The company provided shocks for the 1906 Brush Runabout 1906 A Stanley Steamer broke speed records while racing 127.6 miles an hour on the sands of Ormond Beach, Florida 1906 Municipalities begin issuing operators permits to owners of steam-powered automobiles. Interestingly, many cities require an engineer's permit to operate the "mobile boilers." 1906 The first bumper appeared on an automobile. 1906 The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was founded by Carl Fisher 1906 Cars begin to abandon their horse-drawn carriage look and to begin to look more like what we think of as an automobile 1906 Ford launches the Model K. The model K delivered 40 hp and was capable of reaching a top speed of 60 mph. Although the steep $2,800 price tag proved to be too expensive for consumers, it provided two important lessons. One, the true value of the automobile market was in mass produced, less expensive models. And two, the combustion engine would likely be the dominant automobile design for the foreseeable future. 1907 John McLean opened a Standard Oil service station at Holgate Street and Western Avenue in Seattle, Washington. Standard Oil claimed that McLean's service station was the first of its kind in the US. 1907 Felix and Norman Caldwell of South Australia applied for a patent for four wheel drive with four wheel steering 1907 Prior to becoming President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson warned that the automobile would "spread socialist feelings in this country." 1907 Otto Zachow and William Besserdich launch the Four Wheel Drive Auto Co 1907 The Pirelli logo is born, comprising of an elongated “P” 1907 The Ford Model T is designed with a planetary gearset 1907 The first gas station chain is launched by The Automobile Gasoline Company and the Oriental Oil Company. The chain consisted of two stations, one in St. Louis, Missouri, and the other in Dallas, Texas. 1908 The Ford Model T was unveiled for the first time. It was equipped with a throttle mounted on the steering column, and got about thirty miles to a gallon. 1908 Vents appeared in the floors of some cars to increase the circulation of air. Unfortunately floor vents tended to bring in more dirt than cool air 1908 The first concrete road was laid 1908 The Ford Model T was unveiled for the first time. It was equipped with a throttle mounted on the steering column, got about thirty miles to a gallon and featured two forward speeds and a reverse gear. 1908 The Ford Model T was launched with a hybrid suspension system consisting of a traditional leaf suspension system, augmented by two springs mounted on each axle. Ford's adaptation of high-strength vanadium steel from a French racing car allowed him to save weight and cut costs without compromising its durability. 1908 Albert Fisher and his nephews, Frederic and Charles Fisher, established the Fisher Body Company to manufacture carriage and automobile bodies. 1908 The Franklin automobile was the first car to use roller-bearing U-joints. 1908 The coil and distributor ignition was introduced. Collectively the system consisted of a battery, contact breaker, induction coil and spark plugs 1908 Herbert Frood patented the asbestos brake linings 1908 Ford launches the Model T. The new Ford model was powered by a 4-cylinder, 20 hp engine. In addition, the car came equipped with two forward speeds as well as a reverse gear. Remarkably, the Model T got around thirty miles to a gallon. Optional equipment included a speedometer, a spare tire and headlights. 1908Frenchman M. Houdaille invents the first reliable hydraulic shock absorber 1908 Otto Zachow and William Besserdich of Clintonville, Wisconsin, patented a four-wheel braking system, the prototype of all modern braking systems 1908 A U.S. Army study predicted that the automobile was unsuited for war 1908 Goodyear’s founder, Frank Seiberling, built a machine that cut grooves in the hard tire surface for traction. Early car tires were made of solid rubber and had a smooth surface that provided negligible traction. 1909 Italian race car designer Isotta Fraschini was the first to try 4-wheel brakes 1909 Bugatti built its first luxury car 1909 The Hupmobile featured a multiple-disc clutch in unit with the engine. Cadillac and Oakland became part of GM. 1909 William Besserdich and Otto Zachow built America's first successful four-wheel-drive motor car called the "Badger Four Wheel Drive Company" The firm finally switched from cars to trucks. 1909 The forerunner to the Indinapolis 500 was held. Unlike todays oval track, the 1909 track was comprised of a 2 1/2 mile rectangle. The original race was designed to last only five miles. Shortly into the race, the track surface broke up, causing a number of crashes which resulted in the deaths of two drivers, two mechanics and two spectators 1909 British Cowey Motor Works introduces an air suspension system. However, due to high failure rates production of the units cease. 1909 Friction shock absorbers were developed 1909 Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (Delco) was founded by Charles F. Kettering. 1909 Alice Ramsey and three other women drove a Maxwell touring car from New York City to San Francisco in fifty-three days. 1910 Most automobiles lacked traditional fuel filters, so many cars came equipped with a patch of chamois to filter gas as it was poured into the tank 1910 The first automotive heater was introduced as an accessory for the "horseless carriage." The small heater burned coal or charcoal to warm the passenger compartment continuously 1910 The first improved electric starter prototupe is developed. The improved system relied on storage battery that supplied a 24-volt charge to the starter to ignite the engine. 1910 Closed auto body designs are becoming popular 1910 P.H. de Saint-Senoch developed automatic leveling. But it wouldn't be until the 1955 Citroen DS 19 before automatic leveling came into its own 1910 Albert Fisher's company supplies auto bodies to General Motors (GM). That same year, Fisher Body Company delivers 150 auto bodies to Cadillac. 1910 Hiram Johnson was the first political candidate to take his campaign on the road. During his 1910 run for the governorship, Johnson drove throughout the state of California. 1910 B.F. Goodrich Company introduced a tire with a rugged new fabric. Carbon was added to the rubber to reduce wear. 1910 B. F. Goodrich begins errecting thousands of road signs across the country. From 1910 to 1917 some 110,000 miles of U.S. roads would be equipped with signs that indicated the next town and the destination of the road. 1910 Adams Farwell of Dubuque, Iowa invented a basic fuel injection system for diesel engines. 1911 Charles Kettering, the founder of Delco, patents the first reliable self-starter. Kettering's design was based in part on Clyde Coleman's 1908 patent 1911 Philip Strauss of The Hardman company was the first to produce a combination tire and tube. An air filled inner tube was surrounded by a hardened rubber tube which was reinforced with fabric. The automotive rubber tire had finally been born. 1911 First four-wheel braking was employed by the Italian company of Isotta-Franchini 1911 The first production four-wheel-drive automobile, built by FWD Corporation, rolled out of Clintonville, Wisc. It was first used as a demonstrator, and when the firm shifted entirely to truck manufacturing, it was used for nearly 35 years to haul mail to and from the post office 1911 Ray Harroun beat out 39 other drivers to win the first Indy 500. His won the race with an average speed of 74.59 miles-per-hour and completed the race in six hours and 42 minutes. 1911 Charles Kettering invented the electric ignition 1911 Automobile stocks are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) 1911 The FWD Corporation, of Clintonville, Wisconsin introduces the first production four-wheel-drive automobile. 1912 Cadillac introduced a generator-battery, lighting, ignition and starter system 1912 Cadillac is the first manufacturer to feature Charles Kettering's improved self-starter 1912 Edward G. Budd is credited with the concept of the all-steel auto body. 1912 Edwin H. Armstrong completes his first important invention at the age of 22, the regenerative circuit. 1912 The Gulf Oil Company was the first oil and gas company to distribute free road maps 1912 The Aermore Manufacturing Company, received a patent for a multiple-pipe horn powered by engine exhaust. The Aermore Exhaust Horn is said to have sounded similar to a church organ. 1913 On September 29, 1913 Rudolf Diesel commits suicide at the age fifty five in the English Channel. 1913 Rudolf Diesel, inventor of the Diesel engine, committed suicide at the age of fifty-five. While crossing the English Channel, he lept from a boat into the water and drowned. 1913 Packard made a milestone step in differential development with the introduction of a spiral-bevel ring and pinion set that cut the noise level produced in the rear axle. 1913 Edward G. Budd receives his first big all-steel frame order from Horace and John Dodge 1913 Dr. William Burton of Standard Oil of Indiana introduced a thermal-cracking procedure that used high temperature and pressure to break down the larger, higher-boiling molecules into the smaller, lower-boiling molecules found in gasoline 1913 Hudson Motor Car Company’s Model 54 sedan the first closed production car was introduced. Prior to the Model 54, automobiles were constructed with either open passenger compartments or convertible tops 1913 Mechanical windshield wipers were standard equipment on American cars 1913 An early version of the turn signal was invented. It consisted of a signaling arm, which was mounted on the back fender. The arm was activated by an electric button on the dash. The arm could be raised and lowered and would point in the turning direction. 1913 One of the first brake indicators was invented. A flag on the back of the car would rise whenever the brake was pressed 1913 Ford launches the movable assembly line. Ford's focus on mass production would go on to revolutionize industrial manufacturing. 1914 The first dash-mounted gas gauge was installed by Studebaker 1914: Cadillac designed the first American V-8 engine for its 1915 models. 1914 Edwin H. Armstrong patents the the regenerative circuit on Oct. 6, 1914. 1914 Thomas Alva Edison invents the alkaline storage battery 1914 Cleveland Ohio installs the nation's first traffic light 1914 The Society Anonima Officine Alfieri Maserati, Bologna, was created by the Maserati brothers. 1914 Pierce-Arrow put headlights in their fenders. 1914 Horace and John Dodge roll off their first production automobile. They had previously manufactured parts for other automobile manufacturers but decided to enter the market themselves. Dodge would ultimately become senonimous with well built, rugged trucks. 1915 The first carburetor air cleaner, introduced on the Packard Twin Six 1915 Nicola Romeo took charge The Società Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili, and Alfa Romeo was born 1915 The Klaxon, the first electric horn, became popular. "Klaxon" is from the Latin word Klaxo for shreik or scream. 1915 W.F. O’Neil establishes the General Tire and Rubber Company in Akron Ohio. 1915 Ernest Holmes Company of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was one of the first to offer a wrecker towing service. 1915 Pirelli begins producing pneumatic tires for aircraft 1915 Studebaker began offering automobiles for sale based on payments. Their successful "pay-as-you-ride" slogan was a hit with many consumers and represented the first manufacturer financed auto sales. Automobile financing would go on to be a mainstay of the auto industry and an important revenue generating business. 1916 Hand-operated windshield wipers, stoplights and rearview mirrors as standard equipment on most cars. 1916 Federal Aid Road Act of 1916 provided the foundation for a national road building and improvement effort. As a result, each state was required to have a highway agency with engineering professionals to carry out the federal-aid road construction projects. In addition, road building was required to include rural post roads rather than just a few long-distance roads 1917 Chevrolet eliminates hand brake in favor of foot pedal with latch for parking. 1917 Twins F.E and F.O Stanley sell their famous Stanely Steamer Company. By this time it is clear that the combustion engine has won out as engine design of the future. Even though the steam-powered engine was in many ways superior, its slow startup time eventually contributed to its demise. Often it would take a Stanley Steamer 10 to 15 minutes to build up its steam level before it could be driven. Both While both Stanleys retired, they continued to race their steam-powered automobiles. 1917 Ormond Edgar Wall invents the electric oscillating windshield wiper 1917 Charlotte Bridgwood patented an improved windshield wiper called the Storm Windshield Cleaner 1917 Detroit Motor Appliance Co. invents radiator shutters controlled by coolant thermostat. 1917 While serving during World War, I Edwin H. Armstrong invented the superheterodyne circuit, which improved the to receive radio signals. 1918 General Motors acquired the Chevrolet Motor Company 1918 Co founder of the Stanley Steamer Company, Francis Edgar Stanley, was fatally injured in a car accident near Ipswich, Massachusetts. 1918 A British patent is issued for steering system in which the steering wheels are separately pivoted at the ends of the steering shaft 1919 President Woodrow Wilson bought a Model T Ford. 1919 Friction shock absorbers appear in production automobiles 1919 Lieutenant Colonel,Dwight D. Eisenhower is second in command of the Army's first transcontinental truck convoy 1919 GM purchased controlling interest in Fisher Body Company, the world's largest supplier of car bodies at the time 1920s 4-wheel brakes could be found on most luxury cars and cars designed for high speeds 1920s Tires changed from being relatively narrow with high pressure to wider and lower pressure. The transition improved traction, handling and overall comfort. 1920 Bugatti delivered its first sixteen-valve car. Ettore Bugatti's company would become world famous for its massive engines and unmatched luxury. Early 1920s Due to a lack of traditional fuel pumps, fuel was pushed from a rear-mounted tank to the carburetor by air pressure. 1920s Most commercial vehicles are fitted with the magnetic speedometer, which was originally developed in WWI 1920s Charles Kettering and Thomas Midgley of General Motors found that adding tetraethyl lead to gasoline could sharply reduce engine knock. 1920s Francis W. Davis invents a predecessor to power steering. As an engineer of the truck division of the Pierce Arrow Motor Car Company, Davis began exploring how steering could be made easier. Davis quit his job and eventually developed a hydraulic-assisted power steering system. 1920 Common automobile accessories included a compass, camera and flower vase. 1920 The life expectancy of an automobile tire was around 13,000 miles. 1920 Hydraulic brakes were introduced 1920 The first cam-operated mechanical fuel pump was invented. 1921 Back up lights invented 1921 Societa Italinana Automobili Darracq (SIAD) becomes Alfa Romeo 1921 Paul Daimler developed the supercharger for airplanes. However. it didn't take long before the supercharger made its way under the hood of an automobile. Daimler's device is said to have increased the power of an engine by about 60%. 1921 The Leyland becomes the first automobile produced with a torsion bar 1921 Ferodo Company introduces molded brake linings using asbestos 1921 John Boyd Dunlop dies the age of 81 1921 Dusenberg comes out with four-wheel hydraulic brakes 1921 Thomas Midgley Jr., a self taught chemist discovered that when tetraethyl lead was added to gasoline, it reduced engine knock or detonation in automobile engines. 1921 The U.S. Bureau of Public Roads was created 1922 Gas gauges and backup lights were offered on newer cars 1922 Air cleaners are invented 1922 William Kissel and Friedrich Werner received an American patent for a removable hard top that could turn a closed car into one of the earliest convertibles 1922 Balloon tires were invented 1922 Fuel gauges become standard on most instrumentation panels 1922 Backup lights were offered on new cars 1922 Sig Haugdahl a Norwegian immigrant, the first man to balance the wheels and tires on his racecar. 1922 The Bugatti Brescia is equipped with an engine-driven fuel pump 1922 George Frost invented the car radio 1923 Firestone Tire and Rubber Company began balloon tire production. Balloon tires provided better handling and a smoother ride for motorists. In balloon tires, an inner tube is fitted inside the tire and inflated. 1923 Leaded gasoline goes on sale 1923 The Ferrari emblem first appeared on an Alfa Romeo that Enzo Ferrari was racing at Ravenna 1923 Ferdinand Porsche invented the first supercharged Mercedes-Benz SS & SSK sports cars in Stuttgart, Germany 1924 Dual filament bulbs introduced in some models which permitted the use of direct and diverted light 1924 President Calvin Coolidge establishes Lincoln as the the official automobile for the President. A tradition that was upheld until Ronald Reagan expressed a fondness for the Cadillac. 1924 Fisher Body completed a total merger with GM 1924 Rand McNally published the first comprehensive road atlas 1924 The first "Motel" sign is erected in California 1925 The Stanley Steamer Company discontinues the manufacturing of steam-powered automobiles 1925 Elwood Haynes, pioneer of the oxidization of steel and the use of chromium to retard nature's oxidization process dies. He eventually received a U.S. patent for "stainless steel," although the invention first surfaced in England under the name "rustless iron." 1925 Massachusetts became the first state to mandate automobile insurance 1926 Dr. Graham Edgar was employed by the Ethyl Gasoline Corporation. Dr Edgar developed a classification system for gasoline based on its liklihood to knock, known as the "octane rating". The octane rating is a number that indicates the quality of gasoline 1926 Allan Odell comes up with a marketing idea for Burma Shave. From 1926-1963, the red and white wooden signs advertised Burma Shave. At their height of popularity some 7,000 Burma-Shave signs stretched across America. The Burma-Shave jingle was broken down into 5 successive signs. Here is an example, Riot In Drug Store, CCalling All Cars,100 Customers,99 Jars, Burma Shave 1927 Eugene Houdry discovered a revolutionary method for transforming or “cracking” low-grade crude oil into high-test gasoline 1927 Allen Breed, the inventor of the air bag, is born 1927 The first drive-up mail box was installed in Houston, Texas 1927 Ford's Model-T production ended. During its 19 years of production, some 15 million Model Ts had been built. 1928 Chandler offered Westinghouse vacuum brakes that reduced required braking pressure by two-thirds 1928 Cadillac introduced synchromesh transmission 1928 Cadillac introduced an early version of safety glass 1929 Dual tail lamps were introduced 1929 Chrysler features the downdraft carburetor 1929 Nash offered the first 8cylinder vehicle 1929 Foot-controlled dimmer switches are offered 1929 Radios were offered as optional equipment on some cars. 1929 Dual taillights appear on some models 1929 Karl Friedrich Benz dies 1930s Nearly all autobodys are made of steel 1930 Hupmobile pioneered needle-bearing U-joints, which is the point where we stand today 1930s Fuel pumps replace gravity feed gasoline tanks. 1930s Freon, a Dupont trademarked brand of refrigerant was first offered as a commercial refrigerant 1930 Walter Wilson developed an elaborate planetary manual transmission. He named his invention the Wilson Preselector. 1930:Cadillac introduced automobiles equipped with massive V-12 and V-16 engines. 1931 The Bridgestone Tire Co., Ltd. was founded by Shojiro Ishibashi. Ishibashi came up with the company name by reversing the English translation of his own surname: "Ishibashi," which literally means "stone-bridge" in Japanese. 1931 Andre Michelin died at the age of 78 1931 The sun visor was invented 1931 Vacuum Oil merged with Standard Oil of New York to form the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company (later Mobil Oil Corporation). 1931 R-12 is introduced as a commercial refrigerant 1931 Bentley is acquired Rolls Royce. 1931 Lincoln introduced with the first modern heater. The Lincolns' heater contained tubes equipped with fins. Hot engine coolant circulated throughout the tubes and an electric fan blew air over the fins. The fan blew hot air into the passenger compartment, which was controlled with flaps. 1932 First thermostatic automatic choke is introduced on the 1932 Oldsmobile 1932: Pierce-Arrow introduced hydraulic valve lifters 1932 Chrysler is the first to introduce power brakes. 1932 Vacuum assisted clutches were invented 1932 Bodies are treated against rust for the first time 1932 Packard introduced the first driver-adjustable shock absorber system, called the Delco-Remy unit. 1933 Power Brakes first offered 1933 Firestone creates an experimental car called the Stout-Scarab. A rear-engined vehicle, the Stout-Scarab reilied on four rubberized bellows in place of conventional springs. Air was supplied by small compressors attached to each bellow 1933 Chrysler introduces safety glass that crumbles instead of splinters 1933 Ferdinand Porsche experiments with torsion bars in Volkswagen prototypes 1933 Monroe built the first original equipment hydraulic shocks for Hudson 1934 Ford Motor Company announced white sidewall tires as an option on its new vehicles at a cost of $11.25 per set. 1934 Ford introduces an after market heater. The Ford heater was installed directly to the engine exhaust manifold. Hot engine exhaust passed through a metal pipe and entered a small chamber. Compartment allowed heat to evaporate into the passenger passenger area. After passing through the heater, exhaust gases were vented through the exhaust pipe. The engine fan increased heat evaporation by forcing fresh air over the heated pipe. 1934 Harold T. Ames filed a patent application for his retractable headlamps. 1934 Dodge started building 4 wheel drive trucks 1934 Chrysler and DeSoto came out with automatic-transmission overdrive 1934 Ferdinand Porsche makes torsion bars standard equippment on most production automobiles. 1934 Reo offered a dash mounted gear shift 1934 Famed outlaw Clyde Champion Barrow, of Bonnie and Clyde fame, wrote a congradulatory letter to Henry Ford praising the auto magnate's automobiles. "...For sustained speed and freedom from trouble the Ford has got every other car skinned and even if my business hasn't been strictly legal it don't hurt anything to tell you what a fine car you got..." 1934 General Motors, Chrysler, and Hudson introduced independent coil spring front suspension 1934 Chrysler and DeSoto introduced the Airflow design which improved driving stability 1935 Frederick McKinley Jones produces an automatic refrigeration system for long-haul trucks 1936 Handbrakes were in some models from the right side to the left side of the driver’s seat to make more room in the front seat 1936 The first Daytona Beach race was held for stock cars. The race is credited with being the forerunner for NASCAR 1936 A Chrysler division introduced its "Store Coolers," self-contained air conditioning systems for commercial applications 1937 With the approach of W.W.II, access to natural rubber was severely curtailed. In response, The Goodyear Tire and Rubber company began making synthetic tires from their patented substance called Chemigum. 1937 Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget, aircraft factory was founded. The company would later become known as Saab. 1937 Chrysler offers an adjustable seat that not only moves forward and back but up and down 1937 Oldsmobile and Buick developed the automatic gear shift. The new gear shift mechanism was based on a fluid coupling, forerunner to the modern torque converter. But the new gear shifting mechanism would not appear until 1941 1937 Studebaker offers windshield washers 1938 Buick introduced the first electric turn signals in 1938 1938 Charles Duryea dies 1938 Packard offers overdrive transmission called the “econo drive” 1938 Nash develops an air conditioning system. The Nash climate control provided cooling in the summer and heating in the winter with a single knob called the Weather Eye. 1938 Buick became the first U.S. manufacturer to use back-end coil springs 1938: Chrysler introduced fluid coupling for transmissi 1939 Hudson introduces hood release under the dash 1939 Hydraulic power windows are introduced 1939 Oldsmobile introduced "Hydramatic" transmission, the prototype of today’s automatic transmissions 1939 Chrysler combines its fluid coupling transmission (Fluid Drive) with the semiautomatic "Vacamatic." Vacamatic is a four-speed transmission that automatically shifts itself between the two lower gears or between the two higher gears when the driver lifts off the accelerator pedal. The transmission would have to be shifted with a clutch when moving between the low and high gears 1939 Nash offers “conditioned air” that consisted of heated air and filtered ventilation circulated with a fan. What we typically consider an air conditioning system would not appear for another year. 1939 Buick introduced electric turn signals 1939 Chrysler presents the first transmissions with fluid coupling (Fluid Drive) 1939 Cadillac develops a prototype air conditioning system that features a vapor compression system with R-12 as its refrigerant. Unlike today's AC systems, many early models (including Cadillac) were installed in the trunk 1939 The first car with an actual refrigeration system was the 1939 Packard. It consisted of a large evaporator, called the 'cooling coil,' which took up the entire trunk space. The only control was a blower switch. 1939 Oldsmobile offers automatic headlight dimmer switch 1940s During World War II, Germany enlists Robert Bosch and company to develop fuel injection for the aviation field. 1940s Most auto manufacturers adopt hydraulic and telescopic shock absorbers 1940s Freon, a Dupont brand of refrigerant, was adopted for use in American manufactured autos 1940s Many vehicles come equipped with independent front suspension 1940s Power brakes were gradually introduced on vehicles from the 1940s on. 1940s Curved glass is offered for both the windshield and rear window. Curved glass improved driver visibility 1940s Manufacturers focused on developing autombiles equipped with powerful high compression engines 1940s Disc brakes, less prone to failure from overheating than drum brakes, at last became widely accepted, over half a century after Lanchester's original design was patented. 1940 F.O. Stanley, of Stanely Steamer fame, died at the age of 91 from a heart condition. 1940 Chrysler introduces the safety rim wheel that allows tires to remains on the rim in case of a blowout 1940 The first true automatic transmission is offered by Oldsmobile 1940 Chrysler offers dual speed windshield wipers 1940 Sealed-beam headlights were introduced on most cars. 1940 Edouard Michelin passed away in 1940 at the age of 81 1941 The first four-barrel carburetor is introduced on a Buick 1941 Cadillac and Chrysler launched automobiles equipped with air conditioning systems. However, since there was no compressor clutch, to shut the system off, drivers actually had to stop the car and manually disconnect the air conditioner. 1941 Ford advertised a radio that could be preset for five stations 1941 Hudson introduces a combination automatic clutch with a semi automatic transmission. Driver could choose between manual or semiautomatic transmission options from buttons mounted on the dash 1941 In an effort to conserve material resources at the start of World War II, America's last automobiles with chrome-plated trim were manufactured 1941 Chrysler introduces the Chrysler Fluid Drive transmission. This was not a true automatic transmission but rather a standard transmission with a fluid coupling, not a clutch. 1941 Shortages caused by World War II led to quotas and laws designed to conserve America's resources. One of these laws prohibited spare tires on new cars. 1941 Buick lowered its prices to reflect the absence of spare tires or inner tubes from its new cars. 1942 Robert Bosch dies 1942 chrome plating became illegal 1942-1945 Virtually no automobiles were produced in the U.S. until the end of World War II 1942 Ford patented a plastic-bodied automobile. The car was 30 percent lighter than ordinary cars 1947 Ettore Bugatti dies 1943 The inventor of the modern automotive tachometer and odometer, Curtis Veeder, dies 1945 Los Angeles County residents referred to the city's pollution haze as "smog," (combination of smoke and fog) 1945 Tire rationing in the U.S. ended as World War II neared an end and access to raw materials, particularly rubber, resumed. 1945 First edition of Highway Statistics is published by the US Government 1945 Ralph Teetor receives patent on a speed cruise control device. 1945 Marcellus “Celly” Merrill designed an electronic dynamic wheel-balancing system. Previously, all mechanical methods were static in nature and required removing the wheels from the vehicle. Merrill's innovative balancing system came to be widely used internationally. 1945 The City of Los Angeles begins its air pollution control program, establishing the Bureau of Smoke Control in its health department. 1946 Power operated windows were introduced 1946 Experimental radio phones are offered in limited tests in some automobiles 1947 California Governor Earl Warren signs into law the Air Pollution Control Act, authorizing the creation of an Air Pollution Control District in every county of the state. 1947 Packard offers power seats and windows in its automobiles 1947 The 166 Sport, Ferrari's first automobile was built 1947 Earl S. MacPherson of Ford invents strut suspension 1948 Arie J. Haagen-Smit, a chemistry professor at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, started research into the causes of smog 1948 Daimler introduced electric car windows 1948 The automatic transmission had evolved into the hydraulic torque converter that we know today coupled to a planetary geartrain 1948 The tubeless tire was introduced by the Goodrich Company 1948 The Jaguar XK120 is launched 1948 The Los Angeles County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is established. It is the first of its kind in the nation. 1948 Michelin first introduced steel-belted radial tires in Europe. 1949 Chrysler introduces the key-only ignition system 1950s Ozone caused eye irritation, respiratory problems and damage to materials. 1950s Twin headlights, power steering, air conditioning and wrap-around windshields are introduced in the US 1950s Semiconductor-based ignition systems are invented. Semiconductors allow electronic switching systems to control the ignition coil. 1950s Oil pressure gauges and ammeters were largely replaced by simple warning lights, which are cheaper and less complicated. 1950 Man-made rubber made up half of all tires produced. Today, over 60 percent of a tire is synthetic. 1950 Dr. Willis H. Carrier, known as the “Father of Air Conditioning” dies 1950 MacPherson struts appear on Ford automobiles 1950 Chrysler offers the first American manufacturer automobile equipped with electric windows 1950 Goodyear develops puncture-sealing tires. 1950 President Harry Truman says government and industry should join forces in a battle against smog 1950 Nash-Kelvinator offers seat belts as a safety option but few drivers are safety conscience and the option is largely ignored 1951 Ford Motor Company began automating the production of engine blocks. 1951 Power steering appears as commercially viable for the first time 1951 The first Toyota Landcruiser was built under the `BJ Jeep' name 1951 Oldsmobile offers a watch mounted on the steering wheel 1951 Kaiser features a padded dashboard, and a pop-out windshield. 1952 Dr. Arie Haagen-Smit (“Father of Pollution Control”) discovers the nature and causes of photochemical smog. He determines that nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in the presence of ultraviolet radiation from the sun forms smog (a key component of which is ozone). 1952 Packard offers power brakes 1952 Plymouth offers automatic overdrive 1952 Mercedes Benz launches the 300SL. The 300SL was an exotic car equipped with gullwing doors. 1952 Oldsmobile offers suspended brake pedal The invention of disc brakes is credited to the British company Girling and Dunlop. Disc brakes offer quick braking at high speeds, resist fade, and are unaffected by mud and water. Pads for disc brakes are relatively easy and cheap to change. 1952 The British company Dunlop Ltd patented the anti-skid brakes on 30 July 1952. These brakes, which prevent locking or skidding of the wheels, were first developed for aircraft landing. 1952 The first electric pedestrian walk sign was installed in New York City 1953 Radial-ply tires are introduced. Due to their higher cost, these tires were at first used only on expensive high performance cars, but they are now widely used on all kinds of cars. 1953 The Chevrolet Corvette was built with Glass fiber reinforced resins. The auto body was light and corrosion free 1953 The number of V8 passenger cars outnumber V6 for the first time 1954 Nash automobile teams up with Kelvinator to produce an air conditioning system known as the Nash-Kelvinator “Weather Eye.” Unlike earlier A/C systems which were mounted in the trunk, the Weather Eye's components were installed under the hood. Moreover, the new cooling system was compact and proved to be both easily serviced and relatively inexpensive 1954 Packard equipps their automobiles with tubeless tires even though the patent dates back to 1903 1954 Edwin H. Armstrong, one of the greatest inventors of the 20th century, leeps to his death on the night of January 31st out a 13th story window. 1954 GM developed the first efficient air conditioning system. It consisted of a two-cylinder reciprocating compressor and a magnetic clutch. As a result, when it was not in use, no power was needed to drive the compressor, which improved performance and fuel economy. 1955 Safety door latches become standard equipment on most passenger vehicles 1955 Suzuki expands manufacturing from motorcylces tp include automobiles 1955 The Federal Air Pollution Control Act was implemented. providing federally allocated funds for research into causal analysis and control of car-emission pollution 1955 Citroen DS is the first automobile to be sold with radial tires. Ultimately part of a growing trend, Radial ply will replaces bias-ply tires. 1955 Federal Air Pollution Control Act (forerunner of the 1963 Clean Air Act) authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare to work towards a better understanding of the causes and effects of air pollution. 1956 Texas' first air quality initiative is established when the State Department of Health begins air sampling in the state. 1956 Ford automobiles offer seat belts 1956 The first production limited-slip differential for a popular car was produced by Studebaker 1956 Chrysler introduces the "Magic Touch" fully automatic transmission 1956 President Eisenhower signs the Federal-Aid Highway Act and Highway Revenue Act of 1956, creating the Highway Trust Fund and a mechanism for financing the national interstate System 1957 Dual headlamps (four) were adopted as standard equipment on most passenger cars 1957 Lincoln Continental and Cadillac offer exterior side mirrors with interior adjustment 1958 Ford offers a trunk release inside the passenger compartment 1958 Cruise control was first offered in the 1958 Chrysler Imperial, New Yorker and Windsor car models. 1959 Chrysler introduces automatic dusk lighting system that automatically turns on headlights in reduced light environment. 1959 Chrysler introduces four-light emergency flashing lighting system 1959 Chrysler offers non-glare rearview mirrors 1959 California enacts legislation requiring the state Department of Public Health to establish air quality standards and necessary controls for motor vehicle emissions 1959 California becomes the first state to impose automotive emissions standards. In addition, the state indicates that it will require a "blow-by" valve to recycle crankcase emissions. 1959 Pirelli produced their first steelcord tire 1959 The Automobile Manufacturers Association announced that PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) devices would be featured on 1961 model year American cars sold in California. 1960s Heating and ventilating equipment became an option on nearly all automobiles. 1960s The electrical system was improved by the introduction of the alternator to replace the dynamo 1960s-1970s In Europe fuel injection begins appearing on many automobile's. Bosch fuel injectors begin appearing on Volkswagen and Mercedes Benz automobiles. 1960s In general, American auto designs reflected a greater consumer interest in safety and limiting pollution 1960 Cruise control was offered on all Cadillacs. 1960 California Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Board, formed. 1960 Cadillac introduces a bi-level heating, venting and cooling system (HVAC). Their system permitted the top and lower level to be operated seperately. 1960 Dr. Haagen-Smit, became the ARB’s first chairman 1960 Federal Motor Vehicle Act of 1960 calls for further research and development into the control of car emissions. 1961 Meeting the 1959 mandate, California requires the first automotive emissions control technology--positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) be installed on all new vehicles sold in the state. 1961 American Motors launches the Rambler with both front and rear seat belts 1961 As automobiles are lasting longer, warranties are extended to at least 12,000 miles/12 months 1962 Turn signal indicators were uniformly adopted amber by the auto industry as a standard light for turn signals 1962 A little over 11% of all cars sold in the US are equipped with air conditioning. 1962 Studebaker focuses on improving automobile safety and manufactured all of their vehicles vehicles with seat belt anchors 1962 Eugene Houdry’s catalytic converter was patented 1963 First Federal Clean Air Act was passed. The act empowered the Secretary of the federal Health, Education, and Welfare to define air quality criteria based on scientific studies. In addition, the act provided grants to state and local air pollution control agencies. 1964 Pirelli Limited publishes the first Pirelli Calendar. 1964 All new American are new automobiles are equipped with front seatbelts as standard. 1964 Donald Campbell broke the land speed record by driving 403 mph 1964 The Porsche 911 is introduced. 1965 Reliable measurements of ozone concentrations begin to be recorded in California. The maximum one-hour ozone concentration for this year in the South Coast Air Basin (LA area) is 0.58 parts per million (nearly five times greater than the health-based national standard of < 0.12 ppm that will be adopted in California in 1971). 1965 The government mandates that all 1966 models must come equipped with rear sear belts 1965 The 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado was unveiled. The Toronado was the first US produced car equipped with front wheel drive since 1937 1965 Dr. Irving Selikoff studies over 1,500 insulation workers who have been engaged in their trade for a number of years. Dr. Selikoff finds that of workers with more than 40 years work experience in the industry, more than 90% have asbestosis related medical problems. Thus a link between asbestos and cancer is first established. 1965 The Texas Clean Air Act establishes the Texas Air Control Board, in the Department of Health, to monitor and regulate air pollution in the state. 1965 VW acquires Audi 1965 Federal Clean Air Act of 1963 is amended by the Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Control Act of 1965. Direct regulation of air pollution by the federal government is provided for, and the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare is directed to establish auto emission standards. According to the Act, the first federal emission standards will be with the 1968 models (which were the same standards California had set for their 1966 models. These standards were reductions from the 1963 emissions: 72% reduction for hydrocarbons (HC), 56% reduction for carbon monoxide (CO), and 100% reduction for crankcase hydrocarbons. 1966 Auto tailpipe emission standards for hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide are adopted by the California Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Board. They are the first of their kind in the nation. California Highway Patrol begins random roadside inspections of vehicle smog control devices. 1966 Collapsible steering columns are made standard equipment on all General Motors, Chrysler and American Motors passenger cars 1967 Federal Air Quality Act of 1967 is enacted. Establishes framework for defining "air quality control regions" based on meteorological and topographical factors of air pollution. 1967 Bridgestone enters the U.S. market 1967 The number of cars equipped with air conditioners increased 469% over five years 1967 Front shoulder harnesses are mandated as standard equipment on all US manufactured passenger cars 1967 Dual hydraulic braking systems become mandatory on all cars sold in the U.S. 1968 NHTSA Establishes performance standards for tires. Standards were designed for biased-ply tires but even after steel belted radials replaced biased ply tires in the 1970's, NHTSA’s standards have remained largely unchanged. 1968 Allen Breed designed the first electromechanical crash sensor (EMS) for airbag systems. 1968 38% of all US produced automobiles were delivered with an air conditioner 1968 Passage of the federal "Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Control Act," requires the other 49 states to adhere to the same emission control standards as California. 1968 Air injection systems are installed 1968 & 1969 Tests showed that more than half of the cars for these model years failed to meet the emission standards. 1968-1970s Goodyear launches an aggressive marketing campaign that caused bias-belted tire sales to rise from 2 percent of the original-equipment market in 1968 to 87 percent by the early 1970s. 1969 A presidential order creates the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 1969 Ferrari joined the Fiat group 1969 Front head rests are required as standard equipment on all US manufactured passenger cars 1969 First state Ambient Air Quality Standards are promulgated by California for total suspended particulates, photochemical oxidants, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide 1970s MacPherson struts begin to appear on many front wheel drive automobiles 1970s Firestone recalled close to 9 million of its Firestone 500 steel-belted radial tires 1970's Steel belted radial tires are introduced and become the predominant tire of use by the tire industry 1970 The first Earth Day held April 22, 1970. 1970 NHTSA tire regulations adopted as mandatory for tire industry 1970 Federal Clean Air Act Amendments enacted. They serve as the principal source of statutory authority for controlling air pollution. The Act establishes a basic U.S. program for controlling air pollution. States are required to develop implementation plans. Further, the act limited HC and CO emissions 90% from what they emitted in 1970 to be effective by the 1975 models. They also limited nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions 90% from what they emitted in 1971 to go into effect by the 1976 model year. In order to enforce these standards, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was required to perform compliance tests, enforce performance warranties from manufacturers, and impose a $10,000 per vehicle fine for those that violated the standards. 1971 President Richard Nixon signed the National Air Quality Control Act, which called for a 90 percent reduction in automobile emissions by 1975. The act also tightened air-pollution controls and fines in other industries. 1971 Evaporative emission control (EVAP) systems become mandatory on all newly manufactured cars. 1972 Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) becomes a standard emissions control device 1973-1974 OPEC oil embargo caused gasoline prices to spike from 30 cents to a dollar a gallon. Demand for radial tires increased dramatically because of aggressive marketing claims that radial tires improved gasoline mileage. 1973 The Clean Air Act was passed, mandating that positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) emission control devices be installed on new automobiles. 1973President Gerald Ford quipped, "I am a Ford, not a Lincoln." 1973 Chevrolet offers air bags as an optional safety device. Few buyers express interest in the device 1973 EPA granted a one year extension for HC, CO, and NOx standards to be met. 1973 President Richard Nixon set a federal maximum speed limit of 55 mph in the wake of the oil embargo. The lower speed limit reduced gas consumption and reduced the number of driving fatalities. 1974 EPA granted another one year extension for HC, CO, and NOx standards to allow motor vehicle manufacturers more time to improve fuel economy. 1975 Catalytic converter was adopted for most 1975 American and import cars. 1975 GM introduced the first mass produced domestic fuel injection system on the 1976 model Cadillac Seville 1975 New “two-way” (hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide) catalytic converters are developed 1975 EPA granted another one year extension for HC and CO emissions which set the deadline at 1978 for both compounds 1975 U.S. domestic cars install catalytic converters to cut emissions. 1975 Catalytic converters are universally installed on new automobiles. The reduce hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions by 96 percent and nitrogen oxides by 75 percent. 1975 As part of the EPA's overall automotive emission control program, unleaded gasoline was introduced for automobiles equipped with catalytic control devices. 1976 California limits lead in gasoline. 1976Shojiro Ishibashi, the founder of Bridgestone, dies at the age of 87 1977 The ARB laboratory in El Monte, California was dedicated to Arie Haagen-Smit. 1977-1980 Firestone recalls 400,000 tires made at its Decatur, Illinois, plant. These tires are similar to the 14.5 million that will be recalled in 1978. Firestone’s tire business dropped 25 percent. During this period, 25,000 workers were layed off. The company went from a $110 million profit to $106 million loss, and its stock dropped from $15 down to $10 a share. 1977 Arie Haagen-Smit, Former Caltech researcher and known as the “Father of Pollution Control” died of lung cancer two months after the El Monte lab dedication. 1977 GM became the first American car company to introduce diesel-powered automobiles with the Olds 88 and 98 models. Diesel engines were popular in Europe and known for their fuel efficiency. However, the engines never became popular with American consumers. 1977 The Federal Clean Air Act was amended to grant another extension on the deadline for HC, CO, emissions to meet their standards. The NOx standard was increased from .4 grams per mile (g/mi.) to 1.0 g/mi., and the deadline was extended to 1981 or later. EPA also set standards for lead, allowing refiners to add, at the most, .8 grams of lead per gallon of gasoline (g/gal). Small refiners, as the exception, could add up to 2.65 g/gal until October 1, 1982, when they needed to comply with the .8 g/gal standard. 1979 Continental Tire takes over the European operations of Uniroyal. 1980s R-12 becomes associated with other chemicals that scientist linked to the depletion of the ozone layer and the gradual warming of the earth’s atmosphere. 1980 New “three-way”(hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide) catalytic converters are developed 1980 The first computerized control was introduced for Cadillac called Digital Fuel injection (DFI), originally conceptualized as a multipoint injection 1980 In an effort to monitor emissions, onboard diagnostics and oxygen sensors are installed on automobiles 1980 EPA lowered the lead standard to .5 g/gal. Diesel particulate emissions are established for the 1982-1984 model years. EPA also required a 90% reduction in CO emissions for heavy-duty trucks to be effective for the 1984 model year. 1981 Specifications for the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle was issued. the vehicle would later known as the Humvee or Hummer. 1982 Pontiac introduced the single injector throttle body system on its 2.5L 4 cylinder "iron duke" engine. 1982 Ralph Teetor, inventor of cruise control dies 1982 Peter Wright, a Lotus Racing engineer, patents the active suspension system. Active suspension helps keep an automobile stable during rapid acceleration, braking and turning 1982 According to the United States Census Bureau, Americans spent $856 million to wash their cars 1984 General Tire changed its name to GenCorp 1985 Cross fire injection on the 5.0L Camaro/Firebird and the 5.7L Corvette was introduced. 1985 Nissan releases a Maxima in the Japanese market that was equipped with electronically adjustable shocks that respond to road conditions, driving style and speed 1985 LA begins using air modeling studies as the basis of developing air quality policies. 1985 Multiport Fuel Injection was introduced in the Celebrity, Camaro, Cavalier, Citation and other GM vehicles. 1986 Practically all gasoline engines have electronically operated fuel-injection systems instead of carburetors 1986 Center-mounted brake lights are mandated 1986 Air bags are offered on the Ford Tempo 1986 Goodrich's tire division merged with Uniroyal creating the Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Co. 1986 Lead (Tetraethyl Lead (TEL) was banned as an automotive gasoline additive 1987 GenCorp sold its tire-making subsidiary to Germany's Continental Tire 1987 The U.S. government allows states to increase the speed limit on rural roads from 55 mph to 65 mph 1988 Bridgestone Tire acquires Firestone 1988 Some states increase speed limits to 75 mph on highways 1988 Chrysler became the first company to offer air bag restraint systems as standard equipment. 1989 France's Michelin acquires Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Co. 1989 The federal government passed new car safety legislation requiring all newly manufactured cars must install driver's side air bags. 1989 The founder of the name carrying his name, Enzo Ferrari died 1990 FCAA amendments authorized the EPA to designate geographic areas according to air pollution severity. The South Coast area (LA) was the only area nationwide to be designated as "extreme." The FCAA amendments include sanctions of losing federal funding for highways to those areas that do not comply with the federal guidelines within the specified timeframe. 1990 California approves standards for Cleaner Burning Fuels and Low and Zero Emission Vehicles 1993 Maserati was bought by Fiat 1996 Big seven automakers commit to manufacture and sell Zero Emission Vehicles. 1997 A report from EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards noted that the air quality has improved for all of the six "criteria" pollutants. All years in the 1990s were better than any year in the 1980s showing steady improvement. However actual emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) between 1970 and 1997 increased 11 percent. 1998 California adopted its LEVII emission standards for most mini vans, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) up to 8500 pounds gross vehicle weight to reduce emissions to passenger car levels by 2007. 1998 VW buys Bentley 1998 Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz merge to form DaimlerChrysler 1999 Allen Breed, the inventor of the air bag, dies at the age of 72 1999 Volvo is acquired by Ford 1999 The California Fuel Cell Partnership, a public-private venture to demonstrate fuel cell vehicles in California, formally began. The Partnership includes auto manufactures, energy providers, fuel cell manufacturers, and the State of California. 1999 In California consumer products rules were adopted to cut smog-forming emissions and volatile organic compounds (VOC) from an estimated 2,500 common household products ranging from nail polish remover to glass cleaners. The Board approved a new set of gasoline rules that will ban the additive MTBE while preserving all the air-quality benefits obtained from the state's cleaner-burning gasoline program. 2000 Research indicates that since 1968 automobile exhaust emissions have been reduced nationally by more than 90 percent. 2000 Bridgestone/Firestone initiated a massive voluntary recall of 6.5 million ATX, ATX II and Wilderness AT tires after investigators linked 119 rollover traffic deaths to unsafe tires 2001 Bridgestone/Firestone recall ends 2001 Bridgestone/Firestone suggests that traffic deaths might be caused in part by unsafe Ford Explorer 2001 Bridgestone/Firestone ends 100 year relationship with Ford Motor Company General Information 3DAuto Glossary 3DAuto Biography Series 3DAuto Legends Series Milestones In Auto History |