AUTOMOBILESCHAPTER IAUTOMOBILE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT
AUTOMOBILES
It is generally believed that automobiles originated within the present century, this idea having gained currency because, until within the past twenty years, no practical machines were put on the market.
Development of the Industry.—The development of the industry has been a peculiar one, in some respects. As early as the year 1275, Roger Bacon speculated on the possibilities of using steam, or some other form of motive power on wagons, for propelling them.
This is remarkable, when it is understood that the steam engine, as constructed by Watt, was not invented until about 1780. Prior to Watt, steam engines were in operation, the valves of which were manually operated. Watt’s energies weredirected to making the valves work automatically, and in economizing the use of steam.
The First Patent.—In 1619, two Englishmen, Ramsey and Wildgoose, secured a patent for “drawing carts without horses,” and even before that time inventors in Germany had made vehicles which were propelled by powerful springs. In the Netherlands devices were constructed to move wagons by means of the wind.
Newton’s Car.—In 1700 Sir Isaac Newton invented a steam car, in which he usedHero’ssteam engine, and N. J. Cuguet, a Frenchman, invented a steam car which had some remarkable properties.
Watt’s Invention.—Later Watt invented, and was granted a patent, in 1784, for a steam vehicle, and twelve years thereafter, the first American patent was issued to W. Read, of Massachusetts, for a steam-driven automobile.
These were followed by Symington, about the same time, together with Trevithick, in 1802, Evans in 1805, and Griffith in 1821. While numerous others contributed to the art, the foregoing were the pioneers.
Evans has the distinction of being the first to build a combined boat and wagon; and Griffith was the originator of the body type which had cabins or apartments for the use of travelers.
Traction.—Steam engines were in a fairly perfected condition two hundred years ago, and it has been considered remarkable that for over one hundred and fifty years no practical road device was brought out.
The reason for this was not due to engine faults, but attributable to other things which were not understood at the time. One of these was the question of traction.
Push Legs.—It was believed in the early history of the art, that some other means should be adopted for applying the power, rather than to exert it on the wheels; but as late as 1824 Gordon secured a patent for an improved form of “push legs,” which stepped along and thus propelled the vehicle. This form of propulsion has been revived, in a measure, by the so-called “caterpillar tractors,” in which the wheels are provided with feet, which step along, and are thus specially adapted for heavy trucks on soft roads or on cross country travel.
Power.—One other difficulty was in the construction of the boiler. What is now understood as the water tube boiler was then unknown, hence they were made in such a manner that a large body of water had to be carried in the boiler, and this meant great weight to be transported.
Springs.—Prior to the attempted introductionof steam, vehicles had springs, and the great problem then appeared to find a type of vehicle which would permit the transfer of the power from the engine to the wheels, since the springs change the relative positions of the engine and axle.
Water Tube Boiler.—From 1820 to 1840 was the great period of boiler development. The water tube type provided a means whereby considerably less than one-half of the water was required in the boiler itself; and in 1832 a motor drawn vehicle, having springs arranged for carrying the entire load, was devised by Dr. Church, of Birmingham, England.
The First Differential.—Hills, in 1840, made the first differential. Before that time the power was applied to a single wheel, but in that year Dietz invented a form of rubber tire. This, and the differential, made wheels the tractors for all time.
But now a new era was ushered in. It was not a period of active work in the development of motor-driven wagons, but the possibilities of using other than steam-driven vehicles was felt.
The First Gas Motor Car.—In France, Lenoir was the first to devise a gas motor car. Compressed gas was used; and Ravel, in 1870, also produced a gas-driven machine. As early as 1862 Gardner used a gas motor fed with carburetedair instead of gas, but the weight of the engine was against all attempts in that direction.
Gasoline Car.—Markus, of Vienna, built a gasoline car in 1877, and this was followed by Levassor, the engineer of Panhard and Levassor, in France, who used Daimler’s invention in the development of their car. Gottlieb Daimler, the father of the automobile industry, produced the first practical gasoline motor, his invention being based on the four-cycle type of engine.
The invention of the gasoline, or the Internal Combustion Engine as it is called, was the first great advance. The weight of the fuel was so small, compared with the power produced, that it revolutionized the art.
And now began that series of developments which embraced every part of the vehicle from the wheels to the top. At first the improvements were slowly effected, and many of them were most unsatisfactory.
Flash Boiler System.—The flash system of using water in boilers, invented by Serpollet in France, for a long time kept even pace with gasoline cars, in economy, and in ease of management; but now that system has been entirely driven out, and gasoline taken its place. This, in time, must make way for a still cheaper fuel, and one more easily handled, either through the crude oil itself,or from some cheap derivative of it; or, possibly, a spirit distillation, in the form of alcohol, which will take the place of the high-priced article now so universally used.
The natural consequence of improvements has been to bring forth a multiplicity of devices, particularly in the direction of more readily assimulating and using the hydro-carbon fuels. The efforts of inventors will now be in the direction of eliminating many of them.
The Carbureter.—Heretofore the carbureter has been regarded as an essential element in every system. What a world, or, rather, worlds of troubles, hung about the carbureter. It was, and is, delicate, susceptible of the most minute adjustment, and in times past, before it had reached the present perfected form, was the bane of every motorist.
A fuel, ignitable at a very low temperature, or capable of ready volatilization, has been considered absolutely necessary to successful operation. Such is not the case now.
Improved Structure.—The delicate parts of the operative mechanism are being replaced by strong, non-breakable forms, all of which tend to make a more perfect machine, and this, in turn, insures a greater demand for vehicles.
The Order of Development.—In undertakingany work requiring mechanical skill, and in which the action of coöperative elements is necessary, the uses must be considered. In a vehicle, the first element is the weight to be carried; then the strength of the frame and wheels necessary to maintain the load.
Next should follow, in order, the power needed, and this entails a consideration of the speed element. These features are comparatively simple with a motorcycle; but they are more complex with the automobile type, particularly as to the structure of the frame and the gearing and wheels which are to be operated by the motor.
Speed vs. Power.—Thus, a motor exerting twenty horse power may run the vehicle at a maximum of twenty miles an hour, and carry a load of fifteen hundred pounds; or it may have a maximum speed of eight miles an hour, and carry three thousand pounds with equal safety. It will thus be seen that speed is just as important as power, in considering utility.
Lighter Vehicles.—The tendency of the day is toward lighter vehicles, brought about, in a large measure, by improved materials in every direction. It is no longer urged that heavy, ponderous machines are required to furnish stable and durable vehicles.
Nothing can stop or retard this great industry.It is attractive to men and fascinating to boys. To acquire a knowledge of its “mysteries,” should be a part of the education of every young man.