Automobile: A Symbol of American Culture or Industry?
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| Assembly Line Laborers |
Looking at the “Big Three” automotive industry leaders of the time, The Ford Motor Company, The General Motors Corporation and The Chrysler Corporation, I felt more like the automobile was a symbol of industry. Ford was increasing production, decreasing costs, degrading labor and “speeding up” the mass production assembly line. [1] Durant wanted to continually expand the GM Corporation until it was taken over due to his financial instability. Though with du Pont’s organization, flexible mass production proved profitable. [2] And Chrysler focused primarily on innovation and change. He developed top of the line luxury automobiles only to realize it was the affordable economy car that he needed to compete with Ford and GM .[3] But the automobile was much more than assembly lines, ignition systems, internal combustion engines and business strategies; the automobile was and still is a better symbol of American culture.
“As the quintessential technology of the
twentieth
century, the influence of the automobile upon everyday life was enormous.” [4]
With its ability to travel further city folk now enjoyed a Sunday drive to the
country. The Good Roads Movement allowed farmers who felt out of touch to be
connected to neighboring communities. As
the roadways developed so did the roadside structures that accompanied the progression of the automobile; the filling station and road food. [5] America was in love
with her automobiles and expressed her feelings in music, poetry and movies.
Many romantic songs had lyrics about the automobile. The film industry and
automobile go hand in hand. Movies not only had automobiles for conventional uses but at times they were the "star."[6] The
automobile would also change the ways of courtship or “calling.” The watchful
eye of mom was no longer around as the kids hit the town in the family car. Every
community had its lovers’ lane and make-out point and after WWII the drive-in, which was intended for families, were seen as “passion pits.”[7]
The automobile also played a significant role in women’s equality. The electric automobile would be the first to allow women to leave the home without their husbands. Eventually the automobile allowed women to gain employment, but in turn added to their domestic responsibilities. [8] The automobile allotted more choices, like which church to attend or whether to attend at all or take a Sunday drive. The Protestant and Catholic churches had different viewpoints but the same end point; the automobile was dangerous. Americans were reckless with the automobile, with no regard to speeding, drinking and driving and pedestrians. Action was taken that enforced speed restrictions, constructed better roads and walking paths, driver’s education courses, and stricter licensing laws. “It is time for us to learn that the automobile is no longer a novel toy…” [9]
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| Sunday Driver |
The automobile also played a significant role in women’s equality. The electric automobile would be the first to allow women to leave the home without their husbands. Eventually the automobile allowed women to gain employment, but in turn added to their domestic responsibilities. [8] The automobile allotted more choices, like which church to attend or whether to attend at all or take a Sunday drive. The Protestant and Catholic churches had different viewpoints but the same end point; the automobile was dangerous. Americans were reckless with the automobile, with no regard to speeding, drinking and driving and pedestrians. Action was taken that enforced speed restrictions, constructed better roads and walking paths, driver’s education courses, and stricter licensing laws. “It is time for us to learn that the automobile is no longer a novel toy…” [9]
The automobile is a status symbol. Whether you want
it to or not, your car says something about you. People have names for their
cars, talk to them, give them encouragement, beg or pled with them. Defining
life moments take place in cars. It is hard to even imagine life before the
automobile. For good or for bad, to say that life changed would be an
understatement. But America fell in love with its cars and the affair continues; just as Americans loved machinery then the same holds true today.
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| My Husband's Dream! |
Disney and Pixar's "Cars"
Rascal Flatts "Life is a Highway"
Depicts American culture and the automobile-
racing, love, music, speed, danger, disregard for law,togetherness,
accidents and the nostalgic Route 66.[10]
References
1-John Heitmann, The Automobile and American Life (North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2009),35-39.
2-Ibid., 55-61.
3-Ibid.,64..
4-Ibid.,87.
5-Ibid., 77-83.
6-Ibid., 26-27.
7-Ibid., 93.
8-Ibid., 94-95.
9-Ibid., 87-90.
10-AgentKrissy. "Cars- Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts." 24 Jan 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jURRsAMGuZk Viewed 20 June 2012.
