In 1909, Scientific American said, “That the automobile has practically reached the limit of its development is suggested by the fact that during the past year no improvements of a radical nature have been introduced.”
We reached the peak of automotive achievement in 1909? Somebody forgot to tell Colin Chapman and Pinin Farina.
With its four-cylinder, 2.7 liter motor producing just over 20 horsepower, the Ford Model-T was the flagship of automobile of 1909. Now, 100 years later, Ford is launching the Taurus SHO back into its product line, with 365 ponies of fury. I believe it is time to look back at the statement made by Scientific American and ask…
What aspects of the automobile have changed significantly over the past 100 years? What remains the same? And what’s the next “improvement of a radical nature”?
 1909 Ford Model-T |
 2010 Ford Taurus SHO |
Photo Credits: Left: cmulou via Flickr. Right: Zane Merva via Flickr.
July 16th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Great question!!! I have to say I lean two ways. Fundamentally, the internal combustion engine has NOT changes radically in the last 100 years. Its more efficient and we can get greater speed and mileage but its really hasn’t changed all that much.
On the other side, aerodynamics design and all those components have evolved to the point I would say the possibiites are limitless. I believe we are only limted by our own creativity.
July 16th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
I’ll take the novice car enthusiast approach.
I appreciate that a car is a statement of individuality, while everyone had Model T’s in the beginning we now have not only many makes and models to choose from, but we can modify nearly everything about that car. Now more than ever, the car is also a statement about your political/social outlook (Hummer vs. Prius). The car serves necessity by design and so much more now than originally intended.
As for the future of the automotive… I’m still waiting for the Jetson car.
July 20th, 2009 at 9:14 am
To avoid getting into the alternative fuel debate (because we all know hydrogen is going to win that battle
), I’m going to stick with petrol powered cars for my comment.
I don’t believe radical improvements have been made to the engines. While we have seen drastic improvements in power and efficiency, it is still the same basic technology evolved over time, which in my book isn’t an “improvement of radical nature”.
I believe the main improvements we have seen in the automotive industry over the past 100 years would be in the departments of suspension and aerodynamics. Independent suspension has greatly improved both the comfort and performance of our modern day vehicles. Aerodynamics weren’t a huge necessity with the top speed of the Model T only being in the mid 40s, but with the power of the SHO anticipated to be limited in the mid-triple digits the aerodynamics play a much larger role.
And before I forget, I guess we could toss all-wheel drive systems in as a radical improvement.
What’s next? I’d say a decided direction for an alternative fuel, but until we can get all (or most) manufacturers to agree upon the direction they will ultimately take for alternative fuels we wont see anything that can cost effectively replace the good ol’ gas powered combustion engine.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Ok, where have I been? There is a 2010 Taurus SHO in the works?? Sweetness. The older ones were great, but this one looks very classy and elegant. I would say that is what I like where cars have been going.. classier and more luxury looking.