Automotive industry overview and applications

Automotive: Reading Log
Adams, B.A., Mercedes-Benz Club of America Fifty Years of History 1956-2006. Nashville, Tenn: Turner Publishing Company, 2007; page 4-107 (103 pages read).
If there is any car that has a rich history in as far as progressive look is concerned, it has to be Daimler’s Mercedes Benz. Like Bentley, Mercedes Benz also remains one of my all-time favorite automobiles. From the onset, it is important to note that the first thing that jumped at me when I started reading the text was that the author is more of a story teller. This is more so the case given that this does not feel like a technical book despite the incorporation of diverse details about the make and build of various models over the last 50 years, as well as the inclusion of sections on the chief officers of the firm and its affiliates and clubs over the said 5 decades.
It is, however, important to note that there are some inclusions in the sections that I read that appear overly detailed. This is more so the case with regard to those persons who have served the firm, its affiliates, or clubs in various capacities. In my opinion, a person who purchases this particular book would be more interested in the history of this particular car in the U.S., as opposed to where a person who served as Mercedes Benz USA CEO in a certain year schooled or grew up in. In my opinion, this is a must read for every Mercedes Benz enthusiast. Like is the case with many other books on automobiles, the present text also has numerous illustrations. While most of the said illustrations, specifically in the sections that I concerned myself with, were informative, others were largely unnecessary (i.e. those of persons who have served Mercedes Benz’s interests at some point posing with their families). In the final analysis, this was a rather informative and refreshing read.
Anderson, C.D. & Anderson J., Electric and Hybrid Cars: A History. Jefferson, North Carolina: JMcFarland & Company, Inc., 2005; pages 17-122 (105 pages read).
Quite a number of texts have attempted to dig into the history of electric and hybrid cars. This text is one of such text. The sections of the book that I focused on relate to not only the evolution of the electric vehicle, but also the technological, environmental, as well as political factors that have often come into play in as far as electric and hybrid vehicle development and production are concerned. The authors make it easy for the reader to follow through by dividing the history of electrical and hybrid vehicles into four distinct periods. Those periods, according to the authors are; 1890-1929 (referred herein to as the early years), 1895—1905 (christened the Golden age of dominance), 1930-1989 (referred to as the middle years), and finally 1990 – present (referred to as the current years). By looking at the role that political, environmental, as well as technological factors play in either advancing or limiting the advance of this particular realm, the authors manage to equip readers with the relevant info to predict future trends in a far as electric and hybrid cars are concerned. I was specifically marveled by the political factor. The all-important question that I found myself asking as I read through the section on politics is; is there sufficient political will and determination to promote the further development and marketing of electric cars? This is more so the case when it comes to the passing of the relevant laws and implementation of needed policies, etc. Indeed, as the authors in this case point out, “through laws, regulations, subsidies, tax incentives, research support and purchasing, federal and state governments assist and promote research and provide markets for alternative energy vehicles” (p. 54).
Bryan, F.R., Beyond the Model T: The Other Ventures of Henry Ford. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University Press, 1997; pages 15-129 (114 pages read).
In essence, the pages I read give a concise overview of some of the ventures of Henry Ford. To most of us, including myself, the name Henry Ford is largely synonymous with the Model T universal car that he introduced sometimes in 1908. It is, however, important to note that beyond this particular model, Henry Ford did engage in numerous other ventures. Some of the said ventures (mostly outside of the auto industry) that the author of the present text highlights in the early chapters of this particular book (i.e. the section that I read) are; tractors, farming, waterpower, railcar, lumbering, wireless telegraphy, radio broadcasting, etc. The author is able to clearly demonstrate the fact that in most cases, Ford’s interest was born out of his desire to make a change or improve the prevailing circumstances. For instances, in as far as tractors are concerned, Ford had what the author refers to as an enduring or persisting interest to deploy mechanization in an attempt to improve the lives of farmers. It is important to note that the author in this case makes extensive use of photographs to depict some of Ford’s other ventures. These visual representations are of great relevance in attempts to help the reader comprehend the sheer scale of Ford’s other ventures and the rare genius of the man many refer to as the father of the auto industry. For instance, when it comes to wireless telegraphy, the author points out that “during the 1920s, the Ford Motor Company, with Henry Ford’s encouragement, pioneered several aspects of wireless communication” (84). To back up these claims and stimulate the imagination of the reader, the author includes pictures of; the Ford wireless station, Ford keenly listening to what has been referred to as ‘early wireless’, the interior of a wireless station at the time, etc.
Brooke, L., Ford Model T: The Car that Put the World on Wheels. Minneapolis, MN: Motorbooks, 2008; pages 7-121 (114 pages read).
This particular book is all about Fort Model T. The pages I read, right from introduction to the evolution of the early Ford (herein referred to as Tin Lizzie) offer refreshing perspectives on the birth and development of a car that, as the author of the present text points out, put the planet on wheels. It is, however, important to note that in my opinion, the title of this particular text and the preceding chapters appear to erroneously suggest that the development of a Ford Model T was the down of a new era in as far as the utilization of the automobile as a mode of transport is concerned. This is largely inaccurate because from technical and realistic perspective, the car as we know it today, was not invented by Henry Ford. Instead, Ford was largely instrumental in bringing the car to the people. Apart from this, however, the chapters I read offer informative insight into what it took for Henry Ford to actualize his dreams of mass production and the various challenges that he faced along the way. The author also includes various illustrations depicting the early periods of Model T. Illustrations on this front are inclusive of: owners of this early model posing beside their vehicles; the tenth million Model T; and what appears to be thrilling displays of the car’s performance including a picture of the Model T crossing what appears to be a river and another of the said model climbing a flight of stairs. All these illustrations give the reader a sneak preview of the excitement and sheer enthusiasm that greeted the launch of the car.
Noakes, A., 100 Years of Bentley. London: White Lion Publishing, 2019; pages 12-115 (113 paged read).
Bentley remains one of the most iconic cars of the modern era. As a matter of fact, Bentley is among the top 10 most recognizable luxury car brands in the world. I am personally a big fan of this particular car – which is why I sought a resource on the same. Prior to reading this particular text, I was not well acquainted with the history of this particular car brand. I was not even aware that it is named after the founder, W.O. Bentley.
In the section that I read, the author has set aside an entire chapter for W.O. Bentley. While there is nothing wrong with this, I am of the opinion that a few (no more than 3 pages) pages would have been sufficient to acquaint the reader with the founder of this iconic automobile. Instead, a total of 24 pages were dedicated to this endeavor – from W.O.’s early education to his apprenticeship and early exploits. As a consequence, the book initially feels like an autobiography of W.O. Bentley as opposed to an assessment of one of his creations, i.e. the Bentley automobile. However, the other chapters that I went through, including the glory years and an ensuing crisis (and rescue) are well written and researched. The author has also made an effort to use simple and clear language and like is the case with many other books on the same subject that I have gone through, a number of illustrations have been included in an attempt to properly capture the vehicle’s transition over time.
Segrave, K., The Electric car in America, 1890-1922: A Social History. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2019; Pages 17-129 (112 pages read).
There is something fascinating about the history of electric cars. This is more so the case given that this has essentially been work in progress for so many years. As many commentators, including some cited in this text, have pointed out in the past, the future of cars is electric. As a matter of fact, the author points out that it is projected that by the year 2040, most of the new car sales will be electric vehicles. In my opinion, therefore, it is likely that within the next 100 years, the number of gasoline-powered cars on our roads will be surpassed by the number of fully electric vehicles. The chapters that I read go back in time and attempt to not only establish the genesis of the march towards electric motor vehicles, but also the factors that came into play to slow the said march. Thus, the book does more than just state timelines – as is the case with other books I have come across. In the present piece, the author traces the manufacture of electric cars to the late 1800s. Indeed, in the words of the author, “there were just some 4,200 automobiles manufactured in the United States in 1900, fewer than 1,000 of which were gasoline driven” (21). This was before the mass production of gasoline-powered cars. The resulting dramatic drop in the price of gasoline-driven cars meant that electric powered cars could not keep up with the competition. As a matter of fact, it only took a few years for the market to be fully dominated by gasoline-driven automobiles. In the words of the authors, it was during this period, specifically between 1901–1913, that “the electric began to fade away” (21). In this well-written and ordered piece, the author manages to present some of the factors that killed the march to ‘full-electric’ early on. Key players in the modern march to electric cars could learn a lesson or two on this front.