Car Innovations

Elmer Berger is usually credited with inventing the rear-view mirror, though in fact he was the first to patent it (1921) and develop it for incorporation into production streetgoing  automobiles  by his Berger and Company. Some consider the creation of the rear view mirror a minor innovation.  The safety it provided during the development of the automobile is crucial, why I believe it deserves noting.  Now we have back up sensors, cameras with those features not beeping or sending alerts to drivers for caution.  The creation of the seat belt dominates in the safely features developed in vehicles, then the airbag but it is the small things that are important because keep in mind the mirror was to prevent accidents as the seat belt and air bag were desisigned for when you got into an accident.  Proactive and reactive. autosmithcar.com

In the  1890s , Rudolf Diesel invented an efficient, compression ignition, internal combustion engine that bears his name. Early diesel engines were large and operated at low speeds due to the limitations of their compressed air-assisted fuel injection systems. Defining innovations can be challenging.  Currently we see mass produced gas trucks and mass produced diesel trucks.  Powerstroke, Cummings, Durmax but what was the original use?  It was not until the 1920's that commercial units were able to use the design and the 1930's for passenger units.  it took 13 years to produce the first functioning design as steam power was the most prominent source for large industries.  Now we have seen diesel engines revolutionize.   autosmithcar.com

In 1911 the electric  starter was invented and introduced on the market in the 1912 Cadillac.  Before this you had to use a crank to get the engine going.  It was believed that an electric starter would never be small enough to be fitted under the hood of a car.  Now we have transponder keys and remote starters.

I decided to skip ahead a little but I believe the prediction for flying cars is older than we think.  We have seen recently the production of self driving auto mobiles.  In the 90's there was design for vehicles that parallel parked on their own using sensors.  Drivers education began to not teach parallel parking for part of your exam to obtain your license.  I remember i had to learn and when I started in the business, you had the amazing feature of turn signals on your side mirrors, soon we had back up cameras, brake assist, hill stop systems and so many other features that took driving away from the driver.  What are the safety measures?  Can a car swerve in a storm at the last second, can a car stop fast to allow a family with groceries crossing the street.  Does a car run faster when you are late for work.  However I do admire the innovations but is it more the vehicle or the driver?

One of the most important modern innovations is the ability to operate things hands free especially with laws against texting and driving being passed.  It started with cells phones like you see in the picture with wired microphones that attached to your visor then it moved to steering wheel mounted audio controls where you never had to look down at your radio and could always keep your eyes on the road, then you had integrated bluetooth that would sync with your wireless device making the driver able to operate important functions without taking their hands off the wheel, also you don't have to get pulled over an get a ticket! autosmithcar.com