America and the culture of the country were created largely
by the immigrants that came to these shores. The automobile quickly became a
symbol of American culture. Like other the automobile came to American shores
as an immigrant. “An apt but worn-out cliché concerning the early history of
the automobile is that the automobile was European by birth, American by
adoption.”[1] While
the key group that began to use the automobile was the wealthy, they wielded a
large influence on the rest of the country.
Such an influence led to the acceptance of the word automobile as a
universal term.
“In sum, while the beginnings of the automobile are often attributed to a group of visionary tinkerers, engineers, inventors, and mechanical geniuses, the upper classes were the consumers of this product, and they cast a lasting imprint on its place in culture in ways perhaps more complex than just the choice of a term.”[2] The automobile’s appeal to Americans was almost instantly but was deeply ingrained with the first races of the automobile. “Racing resulted in considerable publicity and this fact did not elude many of the manufacturers, including Alexander Winton, Henry Ford, and Ransom Olds.”[3] Not only did racing help promote the different brands of cars that were built but also lead to the fascination with speed. “And while road racing’s popularity would decline somewhat by 1910, the construction of large wood plank circular racetracks across the country beginning in 1913 ensured that automobile racing was here to stay as an important spectator sport in America.”[4] As the country prospered in the 1920s the demands of production placed on the manufacturers by the consumers greatly increased. “With more wealth and disposable income, consumers wanted more—more horsepower, more size more colors and style, and more conveniences. The automobile was now an object of desire among all classes of Americans, and as such it transformed our personal and social habits, as well as the road and roadside.”[5] As road conditions improved, travel increased in the country. The use of the automobile to travel the country added many new types of businesses to help serve the new travelers. These new side businesses also impacted the country along with the automobile. “The most discernible social impact of the automobile on American life took place along the highway, because it was there that the gas stations, restaurants, auto camps, tourist cabins, and eventually motels were erected to serve ever-restless drivers and passengers.”[6] The automobile has been a major component of the American culture and is not showing any signs of stopping. As the country continues to use and rely on the automobile to move around the country.
“In sum, while the beginnings of the automobile are often attributed to a group of visionary tinkerers, engineers, inventors, and mechanical geniuses, the upper classes were the consumers of this product, and they cast a lasting imprint on its place in culture in ways perhaps more complex than just the choice of a term.”[2] The automobile’s appeal to Americans was almost instantly but was deeply ingrained with the first races of the automobile. “Racing resulted in considerable publicity and this fact did not elude many of the manufacturers, including Alexander Winton, Henry Ford, and Ransom Olds.”[3] Not only did racing help promote the different brands of cars that were built but also lead to the fascination with speed. “And while road racing’s popularity would decline somewhat by 1910, the construction of large wood plank circular racetracks across the country beginning in 1913 ensured that automobile racing was here to stay as an important spectator sport in America.”[4] As the country prospered in the 1920s the demands of production placed on the manufacturers by the consumers greatly increased. “With more wealth and disposable income, consumers wanted more—more horsepower, more size more colors and style, and more conveniences. The automobile was now an object of desire among all classes of Americans, and as such it transformed our personal and social habits, as well as the road and roadside.”[5] As road conditions improved, travel increased in the country. The use of the automobile to travel the country added many new types of businesses to help serve the new travelers. These new side businesses also impacted the country along with the automobile. “The most discernible social impact of the automobile on American life took place along the highway, because it was there that the gas stations, restaurants, auto camps, tourist cabins, and eventually motels were erected to serve ever-restless drivers and passengers.”[6] The automobile has been a major component of the American culture and is not showing any signs of stopping. As the country continues to use and rely on the automobile to move around the country.
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