YACT: What single invention has impacted the automobile?s development?

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: mugsywwiii

Originally posted by: maziwanka
i think i may agree with the automatic transmission...

I'd have to disagree based on the fact that millions of cars are still made without automatic transmissions.

True, the introduction of the automatic transmission allows car companies to market to a larger group of buyers than didn't understand or were incapable of driving a manual trans.

Like the kind of people Confused mentioned.

 

[maziwanka]

after all these posts i wish to withdraw my previous response of automatic transmission (the fact that millions still drive cars with manual transmissions is a testament to its importance in the impact of the automobile's development - ie. no one drives without hydraulic brakes, steering wheel, etc..).

+ronnie

 

[J0hnny]

window wipers was invented by a woman

 

[Pepsi90919]

computer

 

[Jeff7181]

The stickers of Calvin on the back of a Chevy truck pissing on a Ford oval.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Confused
<Edit> And Roger, about hydraulic brakes and steering wheels! </Edit>


PAS, PAB, ABS, E/S etc I can all live without, and did until 4 weeks ago.

Confused

Hydraulic brakes don't = power brakes. He's talking about a time when brakes were actuated by cables and linkages.

 

[LAUST]

and my answer is Generator/Alternator

 

[MaxFusion16]

stronger and lighter alloys which allowed them to put a roof on your car

 

[DrPizza]

I'm close to saying hydraulic brakes, but I think the pneumatic tires are more important. To reach my conclusion, I took a step backward and tried to decide which invention has impacted the bicycles development. Still no hydraulic brakes there... but those tires are pretty important.

Then, I took a look at the history of cars link ...

And, obviously, the internal combustion engine has impacted the automobile's development more than anything else.

 

[vtqanh]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
I'm close to saying hydraulic brakes, but I think the pneumatic tires are more important. To reach my conclusion, I took a step backward and tried to decide which invention has impacted the bicycles development. Still no hydraulic brakes there... but those tires are pretty important.

Then, I took a look at the history of cars link ...

And, obviously, the internal combustion engine has impacted the automobile's development more than anything else.

YEP
the internal combustion engine is the most important automobile's development.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: vtqanh

Originally posted by: DrPizza
I'm close to saying hydraulic brakes, but I think the pneumatic tires are more important. To reach my conclusion, I took a step backward and tried to decide which invention has impacted the bicycles development. Still no hydraulic brakes there... but those tires are pretty important.

Then, I took a look at the history of cars link ...

And, obviously, the internal combustion engine has impacted the automobile's development more than anything else.

YEP
the internal combustion engine is the most important automobile's development.

Uh....

The internal combustion engine was around before the automobile was invented. I mean, duh?

It isn't very "auto" without an engine.

I guess not many of you have seen a pre-1900s engine that weighs 1000lbs produces a whopping 10HP at 750RPM......

 

My personal choice is the automatic transmission; this device took most of the worry and trouble out of learning how to drive a car. It allowed thousands, if not millions, of people an easy way to enjoy their vehicle.

Also allowed millions of people who SHOULD NOT be driving, to drive!

Either air filled belted tires or disc brakes.

 

[TheAudit]

Cupholders.

 

[Bootprint]

Not the most important, but somewhere up in the list should be Shock Absorbers.

 

[Confused]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Confused
<Edit> And Roger, about hydraulic brakes and steering wheels! </Edit>


PAS, PAB, ABS, E/S etc I can all live without, and did until 4 weeks ago.

Confused

Hydraulic brakes don't = power brakes. He's talking about a time when brakes were actuated by cables and linkages.

Yeah mate....I know The edit was to say I agree with Roger about hydraulic brakes. I know power assisted brakes are different, and they are still listed in the "i don't need it" category


Confused

 

[amcdonald]

Flinstone's feet-powered cars. If we didn't have those we might all be nazis. I saw it in a scifi movie once.

 

Yeah mate....I know The edit was to say I agree with Roger about hydraulic brakes. I know power assisted brakes are different, and they are still listed in the "i don't need it" category

I'd rather you have power assisted brakes when you drive on the same road as I.

 

[tomwolfman]

the 'rear view mirror' -unless you happen to be osama http://www.geocities.com/flashcomics/pics15.htm

 

[StageLeft]

Starters that don't require you to crank and potentially break your arm! I think that was a big thing that made gasoline cars take off away from steam and electric back at the beginning of the automotive era.

 

[Danny]

According to my History of technology teacher, it was the bicycle.

It gave people the idea of individualized transportation. It also contained key innovations such as:
1. Ball bearings
2. pneumatic tires
3. electrical arc-welding
4. stamping

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
I was wondering what you other ?gearheads? think which single invention or idea impacted the development of the automobile since it?s conception in the early 1900?s.

My personal choice is the automatic transmission; this device took most of the worry and trouble out of learning how to drive a car. It allowed thousands, if not millions, of people an easy way to enjoy their vehicle.

What is yours?

Automatic transmission?!

 

[spacejamz]

the mudflaps of the nekkid chix....

 

[TommyVercetti]

I wouldn't call automatic transmission something that changed the face of automobiles. In a lot of European countries, stick shift cars are the norm. That hasn't stopped anyone from driving.

 

[kt]

Car stereo. Without it, I would've been insane by now from the daily commute.

 

[Siddhartha]

The four cycle engine
The modern tire, pneumatic(?)
High Octane Leaded gasoline
Computer controlled ignition and fuel carburetion