A Concise History of Cars: The Early Days of American Automobiles

The car. An iconic American staple. One’s chariot can speak volumes about them before a word has even left their mouth. The history of the automobile is a tale full of ingenuity, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of progress. While roads, the wheel, and vehicle-based travel are almost as old as human civilization itself, the modern automobile as we know and love it took shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In the United States, this era signaled the dawn of a transformative industry that would shape our great nation’s economy, culture, and landscape. 

This article delves into the early days of the American automobile, tracing key developments and figures that played pivotal roles in making cars what they are today. Given the vehicle’s properly cemented place in American life, there’s never been a better time to get involved in the industry and get under the hood of the next big changes in automotive technology through an online Master’s degree in Automotive Engineering or similar course. Who knows, maybe your innovations could end up in the history books!

The Birth of an Industry

Early Movers and Shakers

The late 19th century was a time of rapid technological advancement and a burgeoning spirit of innovation. The post-civil war, post-industrial revolution United States was on the verge of the next big thing. Pioneers Charles and Frank Duryea built the first gasoline-powered car in the United States in 1893, aptly titled the Duryea Motor Wagon, which signaled a new era in personal transportation. They weren’t alone, though - Elwood Haynes and the Apperson brothers were also making strides in automobile development. Haynes successfully tested his gasoline-powered vehicle one year later in 1894, often credited as one of the earliest practical automobiles in America.

Henry Ford

You knew this one was coming. No figure looms larger in the annals of American automotive history than Henry Ford, and you can see it in some of the most iconic vehicles on the roads today. Ford introduced the Model T in 1908, revolutionizing the industry. Priced at $850 (roughly $27,000 in today’s money), the Model T was designed with affordability and practicality in mind for the average American. His innovative use of assembly line production introduced a few years later in 1913 massively cut the time and cost of manufacture, meaning cars were more accessible to everyday people. The Model T’s success was astounding. By 1927, 15 million units had been sold, making it one of the best-selling cars of all time. Ford’s vision persists today, with suburbs and the landscapes of cities changing to accommodate this new technology.

Grow, Grow, Grow

Competition

Another familiar name, General Motors (GM), was founded in 1908 by William C. Durant, a formidable competitor to Ford’s company despite not being named after its founder. GM offered a variety of different models across different price points rather than a unified single offering, such that advanced features like electric starters and improved brakes could be added to higher-end models. This meant the cars could access a wider audience that spread beyond the average American, establishing GM as a major player in the automobile industry. In 1925, Chrysler was founded by Walter Chrysler, introducing the Plymouth brand in 1928 as a direct competitor to Ford’s affordable models.

Technological Leaps

The early 20th century was a period of rapid technological advancement across America, particularly in the rapidly growing automobile industry. Electric ignition systems and pneumatic tyres made cars more reliable and safer, and standardized parts and components streamlined manufacturing processes while reducing costs. The internal combustion engine became the go-to for automobiles everywhere, and engines became more powerful and efficient, meaning cars could travel longer distances at higher speeds. It was clear that other transport options were quickly being left in the rear-view.

America and Cars

It goes without saying that the United States is a car-centric country. The advent of the automobile had a profound impact on the way society looked, as for the first time, great distances were something to be conquered rather than feared. Mobility was suddenly accessible, enabling the development of suburbs with people still being able to commute into urban areas. Road trips and recreational travel - were concepts never before seen but quickly became ingrained into the American psyche. 

The economic transformations were clear, too. Steel, rubber, glass, oil, mechanics, factory workers, and drivers were all in high demand across the country. Constructing roads, bridges, and highways was a huge opportunity for jobs, and also part of how the United States was able to exit the Great Depression through these works in the New Deal. By the 1920s, the automobile industry had become a cornerstone of the American economy and employed millions of workers, contributing significantly to the nation’s GDP. Cars were symbols of independence, of the great American way of life. The rise of car culture gave way to new social norms and practices, like drive-in theaters, races, and just going for a cruise. Cars were featured in books, movies, and music, reflecting their central role in the lives of Americans across the country.

Image Credit: Ömer Derinyar on Pexels

The early days of American automobiles were all about innovation, competition, and societal impact. Some of those tenets still exist in the industry today, although that raw edge of being in the proverbial Wild West of an industry has long since been forgotten. The pioneering efforts of the Duryea brothers are absent from all but the history books, but some like Ford have their name stamped on the best-selling vehicle in the country. 

The history of American automobiles is a testament to the spirit of ingenuity, but not the spirit of humility. Cars changed America forever, from its culture, economy, and society, leaving a mark that continues to shape the nation to this day. As we look to the future of how our cars could look with the rise of electric vehicles, it’s important to take a step back and look at how far we’ve come in just over a hundred years, and remember that the legacy of those pioneers can serve as a reminder for the possibilities of human determination.

(Devdiscourse's journalists were not involved in the production of this article. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Devdiscourse and Devdiscourse does not claim any responsibility for the same.)