Social Effects Of The 20th Century Automobile Technology

Technological advances in the automobile industry in the 20th century had a tremendous effect on the society. Automotive technology revolutionized the transport system during this period as people moved from animal drawn wagons of the 1800s to modern, faster, and more efficient cars. The 20th century advances in automobile technology, which resulted in increased production of vehicles, had a major impact on economic, social, and environmental conditions of the time. With increased reliance on automobiles as an efficient means of travel, forests were cleared to pave way for roads, towns and commercial centers emerged along the roads, and the industry became an economic giant employing millions of people.

Significant developments in the automotive industry included the invention of the electric ignition and self starter systems in 1919 by Charles Kettering of Cadillac Motor Company (Frenken & Nuvolari, 2004). This was followed by other inventions such as an independent suspension system, and added safety of the four wheel brakes. Marketing considerations influenced automobile designs as manufacturers began adopted mass production techniques to meet a rapidly growing demand for vehicles. Different makes of automobiles were designed to share compatible parts significantly reducing production costs. For example, by 1930s, the LaSalles model, manufactured by Cadillac, was designed to share similar parts with Oldsmobile while the 1950s Pontiac vehicles used the same design for doors, roof, and windows with Chevrolet (Mumford, 1967, p. 67).

Fierce competition among vehicle manufacturers led to production of complex vehicles designed to travel at high speeds. Horse racing facilities were transformed into motor racing circuits as the thrill for speed became a sport. Sophisticated military vehicles were designed at this period and put into great use during two world wars of the 20th century. The use of motorized military vehicles during the wars led to an increased loss of human life. With increased use of automobiles, the 20th century society was, for the first time, introduced to the horror of road accidents.

Technological advancement in automobile production had an adverse effect on the environment. By 1918, forests and animal habitats were being cleared to pave way for road constructions linking towns and countries. Construction of roads, however, opened up commercial centers in rural areas. The road networks promoted trade between communities from different parts of the world. New cultures emerged as workers and business people from different parts of the worlds converged at commercial centers and cities. Automobile technology had a significant impact on people’s economic activities. Thousands were employed in the oil mining industry needed to supply fuel to the increased number of automobiles. Fuel emissions from automobiles played a major role in atmospheric pollution. By 1965, the first regulations on automobile emissions were enacted in California, USA. This led to production of hybrid and electric models by the end of the century (Gijis, 2003). By mid 1990s, leading vehicle manufacturers such as Toyota were already releasing hybrid vehicles with minimum rates of emissions.

Technological development in the automobile industry had a great impact in almost all sectors of life. It created a number of industries such as vehicle assemblies, manufacture of parts, transportation, and fuel mining and distribution. The industry, however, had its own share of disadvantages ranging from environmental pollution, loss of human lives through accidents, and international conflicts over the control of oil prices.

References

Frenken, K. & Nuvolari, A. (2004). The early development of the steam engine: an evolutionaryinterpretation using complexity theory. Industrial and Corporate Change, 13(2), 419-450.

Gijis, M. (2003). Conceptualizing technical change: alternative interaction in the evolution of theautomobile. Tackling Transport, 3, 9-46.

Mumford, L. (1967). The myth of the machine. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.