For an aspiring auto mechanic who’s interested in everything automotive, it’s always good to know some key interesting facts about cars. They can be a great conversation starter with your fellow colleagues or customers. Cars have been around since 1886, so there are plenty of interesting facts that you can show off during your automotive career.
At CATI, we pride ourselves on being a leading Canadian expert in the automotive industry. Our programs are where aspiring mechanics get hands-on training and knowledge in the ins and outs of service operations and specialized mechanic careers. With that, we’re happy to share some interesting facts about cars that you may or may not know!
Something to Think About in Automotive Training: Cruise Control Was Invented by a Blind Man
As you probably know, cruise control is a globally-used feature of most cars to this day. But do you how it first came on the scene? Cruise control in cars was invented by Ralph Teetor in the 1940s. Interestingly enough, Ralph Teetor was a mechanical engineer who was blind from the age of five. He used his heightened sensitivity to touch and his increased hearing abilities to diagnose and fix any mechanical issues. Amazing, right? He invented the cruise control because of his frustration with the way his lawyer would slow or speed up while driving, causing an unsteady and jolting ride. As a student in automotive training, you probably have a good idea of how useful cruise control is to this day!
Did You Know Porsche’s First Car Was Electric?
In this day and age, you’ll see car manufacturers racing to make their vehicles more technologically advanced and environmentally friendly. Well, Porsche was well ahead of the game when it designed its first electric car in 1898. It was the 1898 Egger-Lohner electric car, which Ferdinand Porsche branded as P1 to signify his first car design. The car had been sitting in an old Austrian shed since 1902. This is a fun fact to offer your customers who drive in with their Porsche after you complete automotive mechanics school. The P1 had an electric drive mounted in the rear that weighed 287 pounds, produced up to 5 horsepower when in overdrive mode and had a maximum speed of 33.80 kilometres per hour.
Before Car Brake Lights, Drivers Would Signal With Their Hands
The automotive industry has come a long way in terms of safety and the use of driver assistance technology today. But one of the most important and early safety features that were designed was the brake lights. Before there were brake lights, drivers had to stick out their hands and signal to other drivers that they were about to park or turn – which became even more dangerous during the night. That’s why brake lights came into existence in 1905. Of course, the first brake lights weren’t as technologically sophisticated and automated as they are today. Drivers were required to manually illuminate the tail lamps to warn other drivers that they were about to stop or make a turn. But it’s interesting to see where all this started, and where it could end up in the future!
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