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Introducing the ultimate sidekick for your side mirrors: the Blind-spot mirror! Perfect for those sporty, remotely adjustable mirrors that scoff at those stick-on convex imposters. No need to fear costly repair bills like with those high-tech blind-spot cameras. This low-tech clip-on wonder is here to save the day, making your blind spots as visible as a neon sign in the desert. Now, you can change lanes with the grace and precision of a ninja—if ninjas drove cars, that is.
In 1953, a retired industrial engineer named John Hendrick had a lightbulb moment and patented the first car airbag. Fast forward a couple of decades, and GM offered them in some models, but let’s just say they were like a soufflé—prone to deflation. It wasn’t until 1981 that Mercedes-Benz introduced an airbag that actually worked without a hitch. By 1998, dual front seat airbags became mandatory in the U.S., ensuring that our cars were prepared for anything—except maybe driving through a marshmallow factory!
In 1846, Belgium’s Etienne Lenoir revved up history by inventing a practical two-cycle internal combustion engine. Fast forward to 1896, when Brits finally got their speed limit increased to a blazing 22 km/h. Meanwhile, in 1901, the White Sewing Machine Company crafted a car using a Serpolet flash boiler that could steam up a storm faster than a teapot. By 1927, 55% of American families owned cars, and half of them were itching for an upgrade. It seems the love affair with cars was just getting into gear!
Gaston Plante, our French physicist hero, sparked the rechargeable revolution with his lead/acid battery in 1859, giving life to countless car batteries and making roadside jump starts a thing. Fast forward to 1895, and Henry Austin is vrooming around Britain in his gasoline chariot. By 1921, Ford is the king of the American car jungle, while GM plays catch-up. Meanwhile, in 2014, Toyota and Hyundai are busy brewing up hydrogen cars. Talk about an electrifying journey through automotive history!
In 1852, the Studebaker brothers, Henry and Clem, opened the doors—quite literally—to the “Studebaker Wagon Works” in Indiana. Little did they know, their humble wagon venture would roll its way to global fame. Meanwhile, over in the land of bicycles, the Duryea brothers were busy swapping pedals for engines, becoming the first to sell cars in the USA. Fast forward to 1939, and General Motors shifted gears by introducing the fully automatic transmission, ensuring drivers everywhere could finally sip coffee while cruising.
In the quirky world of automotive history, Sylvester Roper was steaming ahead with vehicles in 1859. Fast forward to 1900, and the Dodge brothers were revving up Detroit with their quality car parts. Meanwhile, Rudolf Diesel was busy creating engines that could ignite without a spark—now that’s a hot idea! By 1921, the roads were jam-packed, prompting the government to get its highway groove on. And in 2014, Panasonic and Tesla teamed up to build a battery gigafactory, electrifying the future of cars!
Have you ever been tempted by the offer to fill your tires with nitrogen? Maybe it’s the allure of a fancy-sounding element, or perhaps it’s the promise that your tires won’t have mood swings with the weather. But here’s the punchline: regular air is already about 78% nitrogen! So, unless you’re planning a cross-country trip to the land of Michelin men, save your money. Your tires will roll just fine with good old-fashioned air—no need for a nitrogen spa day!
In a world where road maintenance laws kicked off in 1836 France and Chevy Vegas rusted their way through the ’70s, let’s spotlight Camille Jenatzy, the audacious 1899 speedster. In an electric car named Cita, Jenatzy zipped past the 100 km/h mark, leaving onlookers in the dust at 105.88 km/h. Fast forward to 1902, when the American Automobile Association was born, probably to keep tabs on folks like Jenatzy—or maybe just to find a good parking spot.
Lane assist, the superhero sidekick of modern driving, is here to save the day – or at least prevent some bumper kisses. Using sensors, it alerts drivers who seem to think lanes are just suggestions, issuing warnings for everything from sleepy swerves to tailgating or blind spot blunders. Debuting in 2004 in a fancy Infiniti, lane assist is now as common as GPS in high-end cars and is even sneaking into budget models. Who knew our cars would start nagging us like a concerned parent?
Are you a fan of the classic curves of a ’57 Chevy or does the sleek silhouette of a ’67 Mustang make your heart race? Maybe you’re more into the futuristic lines of a Tesla Model S? We’re curious to know which year and model revs your engine! Whether your favorite ride is a vintage beauty or a modern marvel, cast your vote in our fun poll. After all, who doesn’t love a little friendly debate over horsepower and hubcaps? Join in and let’s see which car takes the checkered flag for the favorite year and model!
In 1956, the Buick Centurion dream car introduced something futuristic—a rear view camera with a dash-mounted TV screen! While this tech took a joyride through the decades, with only the fanciest cars sporting it in the ’70s, it wasn’t until the 21st century that rear view cameras became a staple in most cars. Nowadays, even the humblest hatchbacks have them. Who knew that checking for tailgaters would become so high-tech? It’s enough to make you want to reverse into the future!
