THE HISTORY OF AUTOMOBILES.

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5. By definition an automobile or car is a wheeled vehicle that carries its own motor and transports passengers. The automobile as we know it was not invented in a single day by a single inventor. The history of the automobile reflects an evolution that took place worldwide.n 
6. It is estimated that over 100,000 patents created the modern automobile. You can point to the many firsts that occurred along the way to producing the modern car; and with that goal in mind, highlighted below are articles, biographies, timelines, and photo galleries related to the history of the automobile and its many inventors.
7. History of Cars

8. A multi-part feature on the history of automobiles starting with the first steam, electrical, and gasoline-engine cars. Learn the controversy behind what was the first car in history and the importance of the internal combustion engine. The lives of many famous automotive makers are explored in detail with special pages on the assembly line, the origins of the name automobile, the patent disputes, and more.
9. The History of the Automobile
   Early Steam Powered Cars
   Old Engraving depicting the 1771 crash of Nicolas Joseph Cugnot's steam-powered car into a stone wall.
   By Mary Bellis The automobile as we know it was not invented in a single day by a single inventor. The history of the automobile reflects an evolution that took place worldwide. It is estimated that over 100,000 patents created the modern automobile. However, we can point to the many firsts that occurred along the way. Starting with the first theoretical plans for a motor vehicle that had been drawn up by bothLeonardo da Vinci and Isaac Newton. In 1769, the very first self-propelled road vehicle was a military tractor invented by French engineer and mechanic, Nicolas Joseph Cugnot (1725 - 1804). Cugnot used a steam engine to power his vehicle, built under his instructions at the Paris Arsenal by mechanic Brezin. It was used by the French Army to haul artillery at a whopping speed of 2 1/2 mph on only three wheels. The vehicle had to stop every ten to fifteen minutes to build up steam power. The steam engine and boiler were separate from the rest of the vehicle and placed in the front (see engraving above). The following year (1770), Cugnot built a steam-powered tricycle that carried four passengers. n 1771, Cugnot drove one of his road vehicles into a stone wall, making Cugnot the first person to get into a motor vehicle accident. This was the beginning of bad luck for the inventor. After one of Cugnot's patrons died and the other was exiled, the money for Cugnot's road vehicle experiments ended. Steam engines powered cars by burning fuel that heated water in a boiler, creating steam that expanded and pushed pistons that turned the crankshaft, which then turned the wheels. During the early history of self-propelled vehicles - both road andrailroad vehicles were being developed with steam engines. (Cugnot also designed two steam locomotives with engines that never worked well.) Steam engines added so much weight to a vehicle that they proved a poor design for road vehicles; however, steam engines were very successfully used in locomotives. Historians, who accept that early steam-powered road vehicles were automobiles, feel that Nicolas Cugnot was the inventor of the first automobile. After Cugnot Several Other Inventors Designed Steam-Powered Road Vehicles Cugnot's vehicle was improved by Frenchman, Onesiphore Pecqueur, who also invented the first differential gear. In 1789, the first U.S. patent for a steam-powered land vehicle was granted to Oliver Evans. In 1801, Richard Trevithick built a road carriage powered by steam - the first in Great Britain. In Britain, from 1820 to 1840, steam-powered stagecoaches were in regular service. These were later banned from public roads and Britain's railroad system developed as a result. Steam-driven road tractors (built by Charles Deitz) pulled passenger carriages around Paris and Bordeaux up to 1850. In the United States, numerous steam coaches were built from 1860 to 1880. Inventors included: Harrison Dyer, Joseph Dixon, Rufus Porter, and William T. James. Amedee Bollee Sr. built advanced steam cars from 1873 to 1883. The "La Mancelle" built in 1878, had a front-mounted engine, shaft drive to the differential, chain drive to the rear wheels, steering wheel on a vertical shaft and driver's seat behind the engine. The boiler was carried behind the passenger compartment. In 1871, Dr. J. W. Carhart, professor of physics at Wisconsin State University, and the J. I. Case Company built a working steam car that won a 200-mile race. The Internal Combustion Engine and Early Gas-Powered Cars The very first self-powered road vehicles were powered by steam engines and by that definition Nicolas Joseph Cugnot of France built the first automobile in 1769 - recognized by the British Royal Automobile Club and the Automobile Club de France as being the first. So why do so many history books say that the automobile was invented by either Gottlieb Daimler or Karl Benz? It is because both Daimler and Benz invented highly successful and practical gasoline-powered vehicles that ushered in the age of modern automobiles. Daimler and Benz invented cars that looked and worked like the cars we use today. However, it is unfair to say that either man invented "the" automobile. Early Electric Cars Steam engines were not the only engines used in early automobiles. Vehicles with electrical engines were also invented. Between 1832 and 1839 (the exact year is uncertain), Robert Anderson of Scotland invented the first electric carriage. Electric cars used rechargeable batteries that powered a small electric motor. The vehicles were heavy, slow, expensive, and needed to stop for recharging frequently. Both steam and electric road vehicles were abandoned in favor of gas-powered vehicles. Electricity found greater success in tramways and streetcars, where a constant supply of electricity was possible. The History of Electric VehiclesLearn more about the history of electrical vehicles from 1890 to the present. However, around 1900, electric land vehicles in America outsold all other types of cars. Then in the several years following 1900, sales of electric vehicles took a nosedive as a new type of vehicle came to dominate the consumer market. Maintaining Your Car In the glove compartment of your car, keep a maintenance log of all work that's done on your vehicle. In a file kept at home or in your car, keep copies of all maintenance and repair receipts, warranty information, and other related records. Each time you have work done on your car, ask when the next scheduled maintenance should be done. Mark your calendar or make a notation in your planner or PDA to remind you what needs to be done and when. Also, try to get all of your car work done at a single location, whether at your local dealership, gas station, or mechanic. This will ensure that you don't overlap maintenance procedures or do maintenance that isn't necessary, such as replacing your car's air filter too often. While most cars manufactured today are capable of lasting well over 100,000 miles, to keep your car operating smoothly, you'll want to have the items in the following sections checked regularly. Visiting your car's dealership for scheduled maintenance or having the oil changed every 3,000 miles, for example, will help ensure that your car is maintained properly. Air Filtration Automobile engines draw air from outside the vehicle to assist in the burning of fuel. About 12,000 gallons of air are needed for every gallon of gasoline used. The vehicle's air filter removes dust, dirt, and other particles from the airflow before it reaches the engine. Air filters become dirty and wear out over time, and should be replaced based on the manufacturer's recommendations or on an inspection during a service. The positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system draws gasoline fumes out of the engine crankcase and reburns them in the engine. This keeps the engine cleaner and reduces air pollution as well. These fumes pass through the PCV valve on their way to the engine intake manifold. PCV valves become restricted and sometimes clogged with dirt and should be inspected or replaced at regular intervals. Battery Don't let the battery stand in a discharged condition. Always keep the acid level between the lower and upper lines marked on the front side of the container. Keep battery tops clean, dry, and free of corrosive matter. Protect the battery from strong impacts or shocks. Clean battery terminals to prevent corrosion. Inspect the vent tube, ensuring that it's not bent, twisted, or clogged. Brakes The brakes should never be binding and the car should always be able to roll freely. If your handbreak shows a tendancy to stick and cause a drag, mention this at your next service. Chassis Lubrication A vehicle's suspension usually consists of numerous moving parts. Heavy grease is injected between the moving joints to prevent wear and metal-to-metal contact. Points that may need greasing include steering components and front-and-rear suspension parts. Climate Control (Air Conditioning) Much like your refrigerator at home, an automotive cooling system uses an evaporator, condenser, and compressor to remove heat from the air. Air from the passenger compartment is circulated past the refrigerant-filled evaporator, and then back into the passenger compartment. The refrigerant makes the hot air's moisture condense into drops of water, removing the heat from the air. Periodic service is required to keep the system running at its peak during hot periods. Engine Lubrication (Oil) Motor oil is the lifeblood of your car. When the vehicle is running, motor oil circulates through the engine to lubricate the moving parts and reduce friction. It also cools the engine, allowing it to operate at safe temperatures. Quality motor oils contain additives that clean internal engine parts by breaking down contaminants. When the proper viscosity is used, motor oil promotes easy starting at all temperatures. Changing the oil is the best preventive maintenance for an engine. Clean motor oil will prolong the engine life and increase fuel economy. Oil should be replaced following manufacturers' recommendations, which is usually every 3,000 miles for most vehicles. Fuel Injection With more efficiency than the older-style carburetor, fuel-injection systems control fuel use and actually spray gasoline into the engine when needed. Using fuel injection, the engine combines gas vapors and air to create a combustible air-fuel mixture. The spark plugs ignite the mixture, creating a series of small explosions that drive the wheels and make the car go. Fuel-injection systems vary the richness of the mixture to suit different operating conditions. Most automotive experts recommend that fuel-injection systems be professionally cleaned once each year. When possible, use a fuel-additive cleaner every three months. Lights Burned-out bulbs should be promptly replaced to keep the vehicle operating in a safe manner. Halogen bulbs that are improperly replaced will have a shorter life and will not illuminate the road as effectively. Radiator The radiator system should be serviced according to the manufacturer's recommended mileage interval. This includes a system flush, fluid replacement, and a pressure test of the radiator cap. Tire Pressure Tires provide traction for moving a vehicle and assist the brakes in stopping. When properly inflated, they absorb bumps on the road and provide a smooth ride. To operate smoothly, it is essential that a tire and wheel be properly inflated and balanced. Tire imbalance will cause a poor ride, excessive tire wear, and steering and suspension-unit wear (due to continual shaking). To compensate for variations in tire wear, most manufacturers recommend a tire rotation and balance every 6,000 miles. Transmission The automatic transmission assumes the task of shifting gears. Most automatic transmissions use a hydraulic system to monitor engine RPMs and select the appropriate gears. Like the engine, fluid circulates through the system to lubricate and cool the moving parts, and a replaceable filter removes impurities. Automatic transmission fluid should be replaced following the manufacturer's recommended mileage interval. Under normal circumstances, the transmission pan gasket and filter should not need to be replaced prior to the 100,000-mile change (assuming that the transmission fluid has been changed following manufacturer's guidelines). Windshield Wiper Blades Wiper blades remove rain and snow from the windshield to improve visibility while driving. Over time, hot and cold temperatures and extreme weather conditions cause the wiper materials to break down. Replace them every six months or when visibility is diminished. Each time you get gas, take a moment to wipe off the blades using a rag or paper towel (and if possible, some rubbing alcohol).