Alx

The first cars did not have steering wheels. Drivers steered with a lever.

The New York City Police Department used bicycles to pursue speeding motorists in 1898.

The first speeding ticket was issued in 1902.

In 1916, 55 percent of the cars in the world were Model T Fords, a record that has never been beaten.

The first gas gauge appeared in cars in 1922.

In 1923, 173 new inventions by women for cars had been reported. Among these inventions were a carburetor and an electric engine starter.

The first car radio was invented in 1929.

Buick introduced the first electric turn signals in 1938.

The Peanuts characters were first animated in 1957 for a Ford Fairlaine automobile commercial.

Most American car horns beep in the key of F.

The automobile is the most recycled consumer product in the world today.

Centurion

What did they use before that. Candle light or what?

Lol. That record will probably never be beaten.

Alx

Luw....

Im glad you find it as entertaining as i did.... cool little info.

I love that the police were pursuing speeders for 4 years before they finally issued the first speeding ticket.... that is hysterical!!!!

Snake Vargas

I think before electric turn signals they stuck out their hands - for RHD, turn right = sticking your arm straight out the right, open palm; and turn left = left arm raised 90 degrees at the elbow (they would have generally been open cars in those days, I suppose, or had rear windows). Or maybe they didn't signal and just drove where they want - kind of like people do these days!

Alx

Yeh basically, seems the concept of a turn signal wasn't there yet, kinda like today, but with the turn signals existing, without people using them!

Beemer B773ER

Damn, you give women 4years in factories while most men are at war (I'm refering to WWI), and look what the women get up to. 173 new inventions, that's quite impressive.
So, it was either that women learnt a lot more while manufacturing vehicles during wartime, ..OR, Henry Ford got REAL lucky after Model-T and all these new women inventors called him father. (j/k )


Thanks for the post Alex, ...great reading little stuff like this (because I can then use them as trivia Q's for my mates..hehe!!)

MikeJ

Snake is absolutely right about using hand signals for turning, that's what they did with horse-drawn vehicles. I do reckon that the signalling was done by using your left hand (in LHD cars) only. I once read that in many countries the hand signals are still valid, not that people would have the slightest clue what you're on about.

Alx

NP. I enjoy it too... love stuff like this!

warot

I find the fact that they used bicycles to chase was hilarious.

Trust me fellas, you haven't been driving unless you've actually had to use the hand signals! It is so akward , especially when it was a brand new car too.

emarati

didnt get those two !?

Thanks Alx, funny stuff

warot, i agree sometimes u just have to use the hand signals.