The Ford And His Creation Of The First Mainstream Car

In this work we look at the past of the motor vehicle. We recognize Henry Ford and his creation of the first mainstream car. We praise his pricing strategy used to make this car a household product. We dig to find out which manufacturer brought us the conventional car control layout. Then we jump ahead to our modern age of cars and look at the ways engineers are finding ways to replace mechanical systems with electric ones. We then delve into the world of alternative power methods, primarily the hybrid, hydrogen, and electric options. Lastly we touch base on the enthusiasts concern that the car scene is dying. For many people cars are just ways of transportation, a tool to get them from point A to point B. To others they are a way†¦show more content†¦Being priced this economically took cars from being toys owned by the more fortunate to tools for the everyday middle class. Many have gone as far as giving Henry Ford credit for allowing people to leave their immediate surroundings. The Model T was sold until 1927, ending its run at an astounding 15 million units sold (Automobiles). Many would assume then that a car that sold as well as the Model T must have the same layout as our modern vehicles, but quite the contrary can be found. Top Gear reports that the first motor vehicle to have a modern layout, with the steering wheel in front of the driver, the gas on the right, the brake in the center, and the clutch on the left was the Cadillac Type 53 (Top Gear). The Type 53 had a short run at only one year, but the ideas its engineers presented to the world forever changed the motor industry. However, this was done not through the sales of the Type 53, as it was always overshadowed by the Model T and never gained popularity. The layout we have become accustomed to was noticed by a British company: Austin Motors. Austin took this layout and based their well selling Austin 7 around it. The Austin 7 then was the first mainstream automobile with a modern layout. The auto market continued to grow at a rapid pace after this. It progressed to the point where at one time at least one in six jobs were auto related. However, as