The automobile can be described as an American symbol that influenced the culture of the mid 20th century and its industry. Before the car came a long, means of personal transportation were done by horses and then bicycles. But as a consequence of the Industrial Revolution in the beginning of the 20th century, many factors facilitated the development and mass production of cars, which changed America technologically, socially, and culturally. More than personal means of transportation, cars, trucks, and warfare vehicles like the Jeep, became part of America identity(1).

      Technologically, America benefited from “the immigration of European automotive engineers” during the first decade of the twentieth century(2). Manufacturers of bicycles, carriages, and wagons evolved to produce cars. One important name was Henry Ford. We all know about Henry Ford and his Model T car, whose leadership in developing mass production created the Machine Age(3).The development of cars raised important questions concerning the quality of roads, manufacturing techniques,and legislation(4).

     Social changes facilitated by the automobile industry included the shape of urban areas, new government regulations, the “Americanization”of immigrants, and African Americans inclusion in the automobile industry(5). In 1939, at the New York World’s Fair, General Motors company, exhibited the model of road-building machine, called “factory in wheels”(6). It was set to construct roads at a fast pace. The development of road was important during WWII, war machinery and personnel had to be mobilized from various distances.“As the automobile was an easy thing to steal”(7), state government created license, title, and registrations as a response to auto theft(8). During 1910s, Henry Ford embarked on a quest to Americanize immigrants. He believed immigrants lacked the industrial experience but had the men power and will to work, therefore could be trained, the “application of scientific management to achieve mass production required a regulated human element”(9). Ford also implemented a $5 dollars working day aiming to transform the lives of immigrants socially and culturally establishing a “modern factory life”. His inclusion of African Americans in factory model was one of the reasons of their migration to Northern industrial centers(10), as well as trying to scape “the Jim Crow American south”, where their freedom was limited(11).

         Culturally, the automobile industry influenced many aspects, if not them all, of the American life from the city to the farm. Music was written about cars, and for cars(12). The film industry included vehicles in and out of the screen. They were used to create drama and comedy, or transport characters from scene to scene(13). Car racing was an event, attracting hundreds of people. Suburbia neighborhoods were established, consequence of the movement of people facilitated by cars. Church and Religion was also influenced by the private used of vehicles, specially at rural areas. Isolated farms could congregate at central churches, but some “fargo Sunday service for the joys of the open road”(14).Travel was more accessible. Families enjoyed themselves traveling from one state to another. In addition, camps, cabins, gas stations, and restaurants were also integrated to life along the road(15). Women was ”striving for freedom in the home and in politics”(16).  By driving a car, women was able to have jobs as drivers of ambulances during WWI, and have the freedom to come and go with family chores. Never the less, for us during the 21st century, is unimaginable to understand life without private transportation as we are so depended up on it.

     The automobile industry is a symbol of America culture and its industry. Some industrial developments were so influential that changed peoples lives for the best, facilitating, adding, and creating trends, the car is one of them. Since the automobile industry was established, its influence could be seen at all aspects of America life, for the best or worse.

Footnote:
(1) Heitmann, John. The Automobile and American Life, McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 123. 
(2) Heitmann, John. The Automobile and American Life, McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 18.
(3) Heitmann, John. The Automobile and American Life, McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 32.
(4) Heitmann, John. The Automobile and American Life, McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 11.
(5) Heitmann, John. The Automobile and American Life, McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 39.
(6) Heitmann, John. The Automobile and American Life, McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 63.
(7) Heitmann, John. The Automobile and American Life, McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 48.
(8) Heitmann, John. The Automobile and American Life, McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 49.
(9) Heitmann, John. The Automobile and American Life, McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 39.
(10) Heitmann, John. The Automobile and American Life, McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 40.
(11) Heitmann, John. The Automobile and American Life, McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 115.
(12) Heitmann, John. The Automobile and American Life, McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 26.
(13) Heitmann, John. The Automobile and American Life, McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 27.
(14) Heitmann, John. The Automobile and American Life, McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 87.
(15) Heitmann, John. The Automobile and American Life, McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 83.
(16) Heitmann, John. The Automobile and American Life, McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 94.