The History of Car Engine

Modern society depends heavily on the automobile. The automobile, in turn, depends on the internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine, which has been adapted to run most forms of transportation, continues to change the lives of many Americans.

Most people attribute the first automobile to either Gottlieb Daimler or Karl Benz. While it is true that they created the first successful, gasoline powered vehicle, the car predates this by over 100 years. The first car, manufactured in 1769 is 115 years older than the cars made by Damlier and Benz.

The first automobile, which ran on steam, was created by Nicolas Joseph Cugnot. It did not look or run like today's automobile. The car was recognized by both the British Royal Automobile Club and the Automobile Club de France as the first self-powered road vehicle. In 1771, Cugnot drove the vehicle into a wall, earning him the honor of being the first person to ever get into a car accident.

The internal combustion engine, however, was designed long before Cugnot's engine. In 1680, an engine designed to run off gunpowder was designed by a Dutch physicist. The designer, Christian Huygens, was never able to successfully build this engine.

In 1807, a Swedish man named Francois Isaac de Rivaz, designed and successfully built an internal combustion engine. The engine worked by using a blend of hydrogen and oxygen for fuel. The design was ineffective. Despite the fact that Rivaz designed a car for the engine, the ineffective engine and design kept this project from succeeding.

Through the remainder of the 1800s, the automobile began to take shape. Finally, in 1886, the first patent was issued. In 1890, the first four-stroke engines were produced. During the late 1800s, the automobile slowly began to take the shape we know today.

By the dawn of the 20th century, the automobile was becoming a popular mode of transportation. The unique features offered by the internal combustion engine played a significant role in this. Manufacturers quickly began looking for more efficient ways to produce vehicles.

In the early 1900s, the assembly line forever changed the way that automobiles were created. Henry Ford installed the first conveyor belt-based assembly line in 1913. This debuted in his plant in Highland Park, Michigan. After this, his car, the Model-T became the first mass-produced vehicle. By 1927, over 15 million Model-T’s had been sold.

Since then, the car has continued to increase in both popularity and necessity. The internal combustion engine is used in most forms of transportation. Busses, many trains, boats and even air planes use the same type of engine.

Between 1930 and 1950, the development of the engine continued. The automatic transmission and cranking system, power steering and fuel injection were all introduced during this era. These innovations continue to fill a need today.

In the 1960s and beyond, the automobile continued to get faster, safer and more powerful. Larger engines and engines with more horse power were developed. Other features, such as power windows and doors, were developed to make vehicles more convenient.

Beginning in the 1980s, the focus of the industry shifted. No longer were consumers primarily interested in larger, faster and more powerful vehicles. Fuel efficiency became a growing trend. This interest continues to grow today. Smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles are always in demand.

Engines that use ethanol and other biofuels are also becoming more popular. Hybrid vehicles, which run on both gas and electricity, are already popular. In the future, cars that are powered by electricity, water or solar power promise to be a big hit among the environmentally-conscious. These technologies are the future of the engine. 

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Automotive Inventions That Have Come and Gone

 

Many auto inventions have come and gone over the last century. Modern technology has transformed the invention landscape dramatically. Take a look at several creations. Some of them have been successful and others have failed. Some of the ideas may inspire future inventors.

8-Track Player- This bulky gadget was invented in 1964. It resembled a large tape player. The 8-track cartridge was made of plastic and was about the size of an external modem. Each one had the capacity to hold approximately 45 minutes of sound. People enjoyed the convenience of having access to their favorite music while driving.

Cassette Player- Car cassette players were popular for about three decades before they were replaced by CD players. People loved the compact size that was generally considered to be better than the 8-Track. They were integrated into a radio receiver and had automatic reverse of the tape direction. 

Car Telephones- Telephone mobile devices were first installed in cars by the Western Electric Corporation in 1946. Bell System supplied the actually telephone sets. The handset had a cloth braided cord and was stored in a spring loaded pocket. It also had two exposed lamp lenses. Commuters loved this item. 

Headlight Wipers- This headlight wiper and washer system product was introduced in 1970. Luxury car manufacturers promoted it as a safety feature, but it never became a huge success. Most companies stopped offering the headlight wipers in the 90s and 2000s.

Automatic Seatbelts- The seatbelts automatically moved into the proper position around car occupants once the door near them closed. Volkswagen installed the first ones in 1975. They are an inexpensive way to keep drivers and their passenger's safe. They were sought after by consumers. Airbags become mandatory by 1994, and since then most auto manufacturers have stopped equipping cars with automatic seatbelts.

T-Tops- This is an automobile roof with removable panels, usually made of auto grade safety glass, on each side of a bar. This novel invention became wildly popular after audiences saw a car with the feature in the movie Smokey & the Bandit.

There have been many automotive inventions over the years that have come and gone in their time. Some of them don't exist now, but they influenced present day products. Modern technology has given inventors opportunities to create items that make driving easier and safer. The details about previous ideas can assist entrepreneurs with becoming successful. Most American consumers are interested in adding features that enhance car safety.


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