Historical development of Automobiles

Early Steam Engine Vehicle

Really, necessity is the mother of invention. History has it that the early man had no means of transportation. He made his journeys by foot whether the distance was long or not, carrying heavy loads on his head. In an attempt to find solution to his transportation problem, he tamed animals such as horses, donkeys, oxen, and camels; rode on them as well as used their strong back to carry heavier loads.

As time went on, he developed sledges and wheels. The invention of wheels marked the most important step in man’s development in the area of transportation. With wheels, the first primitive vehicles such as Carts and Wagons were built, attached to and pulled by horses and oxen for carrying heavier loads and travelling greater distances. This was the genesis of revolution in land transportation.

The Automobile Industry like every other industry owes its credit to the industrial revolution that took place in Britain, America, and other Western Nations in the 18th century. Following the revolution, James Watt invented the Steam Engine that was successfully employed on railways as locomotive engines, which paved way for its application for road transport. Consequently, in the early 1900s, horses that were the prime source of power for Carts and Wagons were no longer used. The Steam Engine was successfully applied in powering Motor Vehicles, although the early Vehicles (popularly called – Horseless Carriages) were not initially favoured due to the following factors:

(1) They were too noisy

(2) They caused damage to crops

(3) They set wooden bridges on fire

(4) Railway workers opposed its use.

Efforts to halt development of the Auto Industry

 

In view of this opposition in England by railway operators as well as the adverse public opinion, certain restrictions and heavy taxes were imposed on the movement of steam vehicles. An English law tagged “The Locomotive Law” also known as Red Flag Law, was enacted in 1865 in England. The law limited the speed of the early steam vehicles to 4 miles per hour (6.4km/h) on rural roads, but 2 miles per hour (3.2km/h) in urban areas.

Furthermore, the law also required that a man with a red flag should walk in front of a steam vehicle in the day time. In the night, the law required the Signalman to carry a lantern and walk in front of the vehicle in order to warn other road users of its approach. This law actually slowed down and tended to discourage the development of Automobile Technology. This obnoxious law was repealed in 1896, and the same year, the “Locomotive on Highways Act” was passed in the British Parliament removing all restrictions on manufacture and use of Automobiles on Road.

The Auto Industry today 

Modern Vehicle

In the year 1885, the French and German Engineers had develop an Internal Combustion Engine (IC Engine – Used for powering of Automobiles today) which makes use of petrol as fuel. Since then, production and sales of Automobile and Automobile Spare Parts became a big enterprise all over the world.

The Automobile Industry is now central to any economy. This is because it serves as a catalyst to propel the growth and development of every other sector. There has been a tremendous and rapid growth in the production of Automobiles in recent times. Veteran Cars (Cars made between 1904 and 1916) had for long given way to Vintage Cars (Cars made between 1917 and 1930). Cars like clothes are now subjected to fashion.

The old generation vehicles such as the Peugeot 404 and the Volkswagen VW1399 and VW1500 have now given way to modern and fantastic designs. The latest innovation in Automobile Manufacturing include greater aerodynamic, better fuel economy, modern safety devices such as powerful braking system, air bags, automatic stability control, and anti-theft security devices and lots more.