The History of Cars in America

In the 1700-1800s People did not have cars. Cars were invented but there were many problems in the beginning and most people had never even seen one. The first vehicle that could move on its own (without an animal pulling it) was a military tractor invented by Joseph Cugnot in 1769.

The “Horseless Carriage” In 1863 a man named Jean-Joseph-Etienne Lenoir built a “horseless carriage” that could reach the speed of 3 mph.

The “Horseless Carriage” The Duryea brothers developed the first gasoline powered American car in 1893 and the “horseless carriages became more frequent during the next few years. Many people were frightened by the idea of a vehicle that could move without using animals to pull it along the road.

In the early 1900s At first only really wealthy people bought cars to drive around. They liked them because they were comfortable and they made them seem important. Doctors bought them because they were more dependable.

Henry Ford Henry Ford was not the first to build or sell motorized vehicles, but it is still his name that most remember. Ford was the first to use conveyor belts and an assembly to build automobiles. He began this practice in 1913 and in just 15 years, his company had already produced 15 million motor cars.

Henry Ford Originally the price of the car was between $825 -$1000 Thanks to the assembly line, the price on a Ford Model T car was lowered from $825 to $345. This made it an inexpensive vehicle for regular folks. Not only was the price affordable, people also were very pleased because the Model T was easy to repair and would last for years.

In the early 1900s Rural Americans liked cars because they could cover long distances without depending on trains. They carried produce to market, went to stores and movies in town, and even used their cars to plow fields.

In the early 1900s Families in towns and cities liked cars because they were handy for errands, going to the train station, visiting relatives, going to church, and going on drives in the country. A family’s house with a car in the driveway has been a common sight since about 1910.

In the early 1900s Young people liked cars because they could go to movies, restaurants, and other fun places instead of staying at home with their parents.

Cars Now In many ways, driving is easier than walking, biking, or riding in a train, bus, or airplane. But owning a car is a big responsibility. It takes a lot of money to buy one and keep it running, and drivers must be trained, licensed, and always alert to avoid mistakes and accidents.

Cars Now It takes a lot of space to park cars, and too many cars cause congestion on roads and in parking lots.

Cars Now Some car owners have returned to walking, biking, or riding a train or bus when it’s more practical or convenient. For most Americans, cars are a favorite way to travel, but there will always be a need for other types of transportation.