In Springfield Massachusetts, America's first automobile manufacture("Motor Wagons") began production under the commandof Charles and J. Frank Duryea.
The steering wheel took the place of the steering tiller.
Connecticut creates the first statewide traffic laws.
Oil prices go down due to the "Spindletop" gusherin Beaumont, Texas thus causing the gasoline-powered automobileto be the more economical choice. The idea of electric poweredautomobiles was pushed asside.
Alabama sets the maximum speed limits at 8 miles per hour forthe state.
New York introduces the first drunk driving laws.
The electric self-starter replaces the hand-crank.
Model T production goes from 7.5 to 146 cars per hour, dueto the development of the moving assembly line.
Pittsburgh creates the first drive-in gas station.
The Dodge Brothers Company conducts what is known as the beginningof crash testing by driving a car into a brick wall going 20 milesper hour.
Oregon introduces the first gasoline tax.
Dallas has the first drive-in restaurant: The Pig stand.
The first suburban shopping center hits St. Louis.
Denver creates the first specially designed police car witha machine gun located on the hood of the car.
The first paved roadway allows drivers to go from New Yorkto San Francisco: the Lincoln Highway.
Hertz becomes the first national car rental agency.
Radios for cars are introduced.
Motels begin lining roadways.
Antifreeze is created to allow motorists to drive year round.
New Jersey introduces the first drive-in movie theater.
The automatic transmission is brought into the market.
Auto air conditioning is created.
First four-wheel drive all-purpose automobile is made for theAmerican military. It was known as the Gls soon nicknamed theGP a Jeep.
Banks now have drive-through teller windows.
7-Eleven opens first extended-hours convenience store.
First roadside fast-food restaurant: McDonald's, San Bernadino,California.
Levittown, the first prefabricated suburban community, ariseson a one-time potato field in Long Island, New York
The Rambler becomes the first mass-production compact car.
The Interstate Highway Act creates a super highway networkto connect all parts of the nation.
California creates the first auto emissions law.
Wisconsin comes up with the first law regarding the safetybelt as a standard requirement.
The child car seat with safety belt is introduced.
A Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Act causes national standardsto reduce auto emissions.
The Air Quality Act allows the government authority to setclean-air standards for all states.
Air bags are introduced as a new safety option.
The catalytic converter becomes a new standard feature in carsto reduce auto emissions.
The best selling vehicle is the pickup truck.
MADD is formed (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) due to the leadingcause of highway fatalities.
New York creates the first law requiring the use of safetybelts.
Anti-lock brakes become popularized.
GPS (Global Positioning System) is introduced.
Zero-emission electric vehicles are re-introduced into theauto showroom.
To see how the automobile has evolved, please visit the following web site: