One Thing Leads To Another [Timeline of Social/Media/History]

In my group, I decided to focus on the invention of the automobile. I feel as though the birth of the automobile, or car for short, led to a large degree of social movements. Positive things have come out of the invention of the car, but many negative things have resulted from this invention as well.

It was difficult finding early information about the true inventor of the car, mainly because many different men contributed to the final invention. Early attempts used a steam-powered vehicle, such as the first self-propelled car built by Nicolas Cugnot in 1769. The first internal combustion engine allowed a vehicle to run on a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, and was designed by Francois Isaac de Rivaz in 1807. Many designs were created based on the Rivaz combustion engine, but it wasn’t until the 1860’s when Jean Joseph Etienne Lenoir built the first two-stroke gas driven engine. This lead to the creation of the four-stroke engine in 1885, by Gottlileb Damlier and Nicolas Otto. The pair didn’t work well together, however, and their partnership fell apart.

It was Karl Benz, in 1886, who created an advanced tri-cycle, which is said to be the first true car. Over in the United States, Henry Ford was busy experimenting with a horseless carriage in 1890. Through many stages, the Model T Ford was created. It was powered by a two-cylinder gasoline engine, and was release in 1908. Ford produced his vehicles on a moving assembly line, and this was the introduction to mass production in the automobile industry.

Although it took time, people began buying cars. Eventually, a strong need for public transit disappeared because people had their own means of getting places. The suburbs were created because people were able to drive long distances, so it wasn’t a concern if things were placed further apart. A lifestyle in itself, the “suburban life”, was created from the invention of the car.

In today’s society, it is easy to see what the invention of the car has led to. First of all, global warming is a huge concern. With the rise in the world’s population, and the mass production of cars, there are seemingly too many cars on the road. These cars emit poisonous gases, which harm our atmosphere. Not to mention the growing concern of obesity, which has greatly stemmed from lack of exercise. Suburban lifestyles have made walking places difficult, especially compared to a city where everything is in walking distance. Why walk somewhere when you can hop in your car and drive? This seems to be the common mentality.

I was thinking about what else cars imply, and I realized something. Cars were invented by men, and it is no surprise that cars are a topic many men enjoying talking about. I’m not saying that women can’t enjoy cars, because I definitely enjoy vintage vehicles, but I’ve come to realize that cars seem to be an invention that encourages stereotypes. It’s similar to the concept that baby boys receive blue blankets and baby girls receive pink blankets. Why is it that toy cars are advertised for boys, while dolls are advertised for girls? Cars are just another invention that makes gender equality harder to achieve.

My studies relate to the ecology of media because cars, a technology, have had a direct affect on people's behaviors and habits. Each new technology leads to so many changes. An invention may seem so minuscule, but it can pack a heavy punch on society. I strongly believe the reason people change is due to the technology around them.


Works Cited:
"Birth of Cars." Car Channel. 17 Nov. 2007 .