Automotive Innovation and History

  1. The Dawn of the Automotive Industry (1890s-1920s)
    1. Pioneering Automakers
      1. European Pioneers
        1. Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG)
          1. Early Models and Innovations
            1. Mercedes Brand Development
              1. Racing Heritage
              2. Benz & Cie
                1. Expansion and Growth
                  1. Model Diversification
                    1. Manufacturing Techniques
                    2. Peugeot
                      1. Early Production Methods
                        1. Bicycle to Automobile Transition
                          1. Family Business Structure
                          2. Renault
                            1. Drive System Innovations
                              1. Shaft Drive Development
                                1. Commercial Vehicle Production
                                2. Fiat
                                  1. Italian Automotive Industry
                                    1. Mass Production Techniques
                                    2. Rolls-Royce
                                      1. Luxury Market Focus
                                        1. Engineering Excellence
                                      2. American Pioneers
                                        1. Duryea Motor Wagon Company
                                          1. First American Gasoline Car
                                            1. Brothers Frank and Charles Duryea
                                            2. Olds Motor Vehicle Company
                                              1. Curved Dash Oldsmobile
                                                1. Assembly Line Precursors
                                                  1. Ransom E. Olds Innovations
                                                  2. Cadillac Automobile Company
                                                    1. Precision Manufacturing
                                                      1. Interchangeable Parts
                                                        1. Henry Leland's Influence
                                                        2. Packard Motor Car Company
                                                          1. Luxury Vehicle Focus
                                                            1. Engineering Innovations
                                                            2. Studebaker Corporation
                                                              1. Wagon to Automobile Transition
                                                                1. Electric Vehicle Production
                                                            3. The Advent of Mass Production
                                                              1. Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company
                                                                1. Business Philosophy
                                                                  1. Vertical Integration
                                                                    1. Labor Practices
                                                                      1. Five Dollar Day
                                                                        1. Eight-Hour Workday
                                                                          1. Worker Welfare Programs
                                                                        2. The Model T Revolution
                                                                          1. Design and Affordability
                                                                            1. Standardization Principles
                                                                              1. Global Impact
                                                                                1. Production Numbers
                                                                                2. The Moving Assembly Line
                                                                                  1. Highland Park Factory
                                                                                    1. Mechanization of Production
                                                                                      1. Time and Motion Studies
                                                                                        1. Impact on Cost and Output
                                                                                        2. Principles of Fordism
                                                                                          1. Standardization
                                                                                            1. Mass Production
                                                                                              1. Mass Consumption
                                                                                                1. Vertical Integration
                                                                                              2. Formation of Major Corporations
                                                                                                1. General Motors Corporation
                                                                                                  1. William Durant's Vision
                                                                                                    1. Corporate Structure and Acquisitions
                                                                                                      1. The Sloanism Model
                                                                                                        1. Alfred P. Sloan's Management
                                                                                                          1. Market Segmentation
                                                                                                            1. Planned Obsolescence
                                                                                                              1. Annual Model Changes
                                                                                                              2. Brand Diversification
                                                                                                                1. Chevrolet
                                                                                                                  1. Buick
                                                                                                                    1. Cadillac
                                                                                                                      1. Oldsmobile
                                                                                                                        1. Pontiac
                                                                                                                          1. GMC
                                                                                                                        2. The Chrysler Corporation
                                                                                                                          1. Walter Chrysler's Leadership
                                                                                                                            1. Founding and Early Growth
                                                                                                                              1. Engineering Innovations
                                                                                                                                1. Acquisition of Dodge Brothers
                                                                                                                                2. Independent Manufacturers
                                                                                                                                  1. Nash Motors
                                                                                                                                    1. Hudson Motor Car Company
                                                                                                                                      1. Willys-Overland
                                                                                                                                        1. Auburn Automobile Company
                                                                                                                                      2. Early Vehicle Technology and Design
                                                                                                                                        1. Body Styles and Construction
                                                                                                                                          1. Runabout
                                                                                                                                            1. Touring Car
                                                                                                                                              1. Sedan
                                                                                                                                                1. Coupe
                                                                                                                                                  1. Limousine
                                                                                                                                                    1. Roadster
                                                                                                                                                      1. Body-on-Frame Construction
                                                                                                                                                        1. Wood Frame Bodies
                                                                                                                                                          1. All-Steel Bodies
                                                                                                                                                          2. Chassis and Suspension Systems
                                                                                                                                                            1. Ladder Frame Chassis
                                                                                                                                                              1. Leaf Spring Suspension
                                                                                                                                                                1. Solid Axles
                                                                                                                                                                  1. Early Shock Absorbers
                                                                                                                                                                    1. Steering Systems
                                                                                                                                                                      1. Tiller Steering
                                                                                                                                                                        1. Steering Wheel Adoption
                                                                                                                                                                      2. Basic Mechanical Systems
                                                                                                                                                                        1. Manual Transmissions
                                                                                                                                                                          1. Sliding-Gear Design
                                                                                                                                                                            1. Planetary Transmissions
                                                                                                                                                                            2. Mechanical Brakes
                                                                                                                                                                              1. External Contracting Brakes
                                                                                                                                                                                1. Internal Expanding Drum Brakes
                                                                                                                                                                                2. Electric Starting Systems
                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Charles Kettering's Invention
                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Impact on Accessibility
                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Elimination of Hand Cranking
                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Early Comfort and Convenience Features
                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Electric Lighting
                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Windshields
                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Tops and Enclosures
                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Heaters

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                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Foundations of the Automobile

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                                                                                                                                                                                        3. The Classic and Pre-War Era (1920s-1940s)