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Ever since Henry Ford, who just happens to be one of Mr. Davison\u2019s favorite inventors, introduced the Model T in 1908, Americans have had an affinity for the motor vehicle, in all of its shapes and, especially, with all of its enhancements!\u00a0 Today, we take a look at a few of the automobile industry\u2019s top innovations, in no particular order, of course!<\/p>\n
Speaking of an order, even before Ford\u2019s Model T, Alabama inventor Mary Anderson was prepared for weathering any storm.\u00a0 She invented the first spring-loaded, rubber-bladed windshield wipers!\u00a0 At the time, they were intended for streetcars, but became an automobile essential by 1917.<\/p>\n
Not to be taken for granted, the first automobiles didn\u2019t have a starter, but had to be hand-cranked at the start of a trip.\u00a0 Inventor and eventual vice president of General Motors, Charles Kettering, patented an \u201cengine starting device\u201d in 1911.<\/p>\n
Merging into traffic may be nearly impossible without Texas race-car driver and inventor Ray Harroun\u2019s 1911 automobile innovation \u2013 the rearview mirror!\u00a0 He won the Indianapolis 500 with his device, a small mirror attached to his windshield.\u00a0 At the time, other drivers used riding partners to watch for oncoming traffic.<\/p>\n
While not a standard feature ON automobiles, Ford\u2019s 1913 conveyor-belt assembly line made it possible to produce automobiles for the masses \u2013 one every 93 minutes, to be exact!\u00a0 Ford\u2019s method also inspired Mr. D, who followed the example when devising the Davison Inventing Method.\u00a0 In fact, Mr. Davison is even known as \u201cthe Henry Ford of inventing,\u201d because he has made it affordable for anyone to pursue their ideas!<\/p>\n
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Really revving up the industry was the mass production of the V8 engine and we have Cadillac to thank for that!\u00a0 In 1915, the company introduced a 70 horsepower L-Head V8 engine.\u00a0 Again, we can thank Henry Ford for making a more affordable model, which he introduced in 1932.<\/p>\n
An automobile made out of corn and soybeans?\u00a0 We think so!\u00a0 Now termed \u201cbioplastics,\u201d the Ford Motor Company began experimenting with plastic automobile components in the 1920s.\u00a0 In 1941, they introduced the first bioplastic car \u2013 but it never made it to production.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s that you\u2019ve got in your trunk?\u00a0 An air conditioner?!\u00a0 The Packard Motor Company introduced the first built-in air conditioner in 1939, right before the U.S. entered World War II.\u00a0 The huge option filled half a trunk and cost over $4,000!<\/p>\n
Now, here\u2019s a feature that does not come \u201cstandard\u201d \u2013 automatic transmission!\u00a0 Again attributed to Charles Kettering and General Motors, the four-speed transmission was introduced to the masses in 1940 Oldsmobiles, but it didn\u2019t really catch on until Cadillac buyers made it their preferred option.<\/p>\n
No automobile could pass an emissions inspection today without the next invention on the list, the catalytic converter!\u00a0 The device, which converts toxic gases into harmless ones, was pushed to the forefront when the EPA set exhaust restrictions in 1975.\u00a0 We (and Mother Nature) thank you!<\/p>\n