Ten Reasons Why the Automobile is the Defining Human Invention (Part 1)

Introduction

On this site, we all love cars, but I don’t just love cars, I think that the automobile is the greatest invention which captures the spirit of humanity. This is not about whether the car is the greatest invention, but the human image is not transferred to such essential creations of the human race such as modern farming, the telephone, computers, or the internet. So let’s dive into ways the automobile was created in man’s own image.

#1. Cars are Both Art and a Useful Machines

When cars were first invented, they started out as just machines, but soon horse powered coach builders shifted their focus to the automobile, and cars gained some aesthetic value. At first, only the rich had beautiful cars, and in the late 20s and 30s these automobiles became just as much art as any sculpture, and often more expensive. As the automobile developed into the 50s, gone were the large exposed wheel arches, and in came the style of building the wheel well into the car. The change in the 50s was mainly that nice looking cars were no longer just for the rich. Designs of the 60s are thought to be some of the best, with classics such as the Mustang, the E-Type Jaguar, the Porsche 911, and Corvette Stingray. These cars were all beautiful, and performed well, and in the case of the 911 and Mustang, made sports cars available to those in the middle class. The 70s was not quite as kind to car design, with things starting to pick up in the 80s. Today, every car company employs automotive designers, who are full-fledged artists, while employing some of the world’s greatest engineers to seal the deal. This puts the automobile at the crossroads of art and technology.

 Few other human inventions manage to balance this combination of art and technology so well.   A painting is great to look at, and conveys meaning, but at the end of the day it is just an aesthetic.   Conversely, computers are very useful, and are used to run our modern world, but at the end of the day it is just a tool and the same with the telephone.    What an automobile needs to be good is both quality exterior and interior design, as well as serving its purpose as a machine. 

 One quick note is that the sound of an engine is also music, another art form.   When most cars are made, it is of no importance, but in a Ferarri or sports car, the engineers want it to sound good.   Some cars even amplify the sound through the speakers, and some tunnel it into the cabin.

#2. Cars Can Go Everywhere and Do Anything

One thing that humans have always strived for, is to push boundaries. Humans try to climb the highest mountains, run the fasted or longest, explore new lands, and achieve new levels of excellence. What humans have done with the automobile, is apply this spirit which defines the human race, allowing us to further exceed these boundaries and often in more comfort. In exploration, Top Gear showed us how two guys in a modified Toyota Hilux could reach the North Pole in more comfort, and in less time than any human could have ever hoped to. The automobile also pushes the boundaries of speed, with the Thrust SSC holding the land speed record and the Bugatti Veyron exceed 250 mph in relative comfort, only to be replaced by an even better and more jaw-dropping Bugatti Chiron. I mean, we even took a car to the moon, which says something about just how many applications the automobile has.

#3. Cars Have a Body (and Body Parts)

One may think that a car body and human body have no comparisons, but I say that is not exactly true. The human body has nerves, arteries, and veins, and an automobile has electrical wires and gas and oil lines. Also, cars have faces, referred to as the front facia. Some cars have aggressive headlights and grille which give off a masculine vibe, while others look cute with big round eyes. Some cars, like the Mazda 3, even appear to be smiling. Another similarity car bodies have with the human body, is that they come in different shapes. Like people, the most desirable body style for a sports car is one which has nice curves around the wheels (hip and shoulders) and a well-proportioned figure. The Aston Martin Vantage, Jaguar F-Type, and Corvette C3 are all examples of well proportioned, curvy sports cars, which are the equivalent of beautiful women. Some SUVs, muscle cars, and trucks appear more masculine, and are beefed up. Just like with the beauty standards for people, beauty is not entirely objective, but what most people like, makes sense, and that we don’t like designs like the Fiat Multipla and Aztec make sense. If you like how a car looks, good for you.

#4. Cars Differ by Country of Origin and Company of Origin

Just like people, there are stereotypes about different cars depending on their country of origin, and they are not fact but have basis in truth just like human stereotypes. American cars are supposed to be masculine, and strong, but scared of corners, and if not that, they are unreliable junk, Japanese cars are supposed to be reliable, have very spartan interior, drift warriors, or be ricers, German cars are supposed to be the best built and overengineered, Italian cars are supposed to be created with passion but unreliable, English cars are supposed to have class but also be unreliable, and French cars are supposed to be quirky and artsy. There are many examples of cars which follow these guidelines, but I wouldn’t call a car like the Tesla Model S a prototypical American car, and neither the more mainstream Ford Focus RS. Stereotypes of the car by its company of origin are usually more accurate, but can be dangerous for a brand’s reputation. Automobiles are just another example of the human tendency toward prejudice, which can be annoying, but is not a form of bigotry, just part of the human condition. This is just another way we humans reflect ourselves through cars.

#5. Cars Feel Alive and Have Personanilities

I already mentioned how cars seem to have a body which has comparisons to a living body, but they don’t just look alive, they feel alive. Land mammals have a heartbeat and pulse, while internal combustion powered automobiles have a revving engine, and exhaust note. The sound of the engine reminds us of a raging beast, which makes us feel the machine is alive. Critics often personify cars when they review them. Often sports cars are described as fun, or athletic, while a big Humer is described as arrogant or excessive. One thing that contribute to this attitude towards cars is how they now do not look like meer machines, and haven’t for many years. Its interesting to wonder whether designing cars to look human or alive started as a marketing ploy, or that people designed cars to look alive because of how they felt like the car was alive while driving it. Probably a little bit of both. I’m not saying cars are alive, or have personalities like humans, but this is the only way to think about cars in our heads. An automobile can be described by almost any adjective you can think up, which is truly amazing.

Part 2. Coming Soon

Sorry to break up the list, but I did not have enough time to write the second half, and this gives me a chance to test out how you guys enjoy a multi-part series. Expect the next part up before Wednesday, and I will work to see if I can get it up Sunday. The next part will feature some great points and my conclusion, so make sure to watch out for the next part. If you want to view this list in one post, I will also be posting that when I finish my second part. Also, tell me if you want me to flesh out and research any of these topics as full posts. Comment, like, share, and follow and hit notification if you want to be the first to know when I release new content. Have a nice day! #blogpost #carphilosophy #tenreasons