Automatic transmission
The self-shifter as we know it was first fitted in the 1939 Oldsmobile Hydra-Matic, although REO had an earlier system that allowed for a clutchless initial getaway.
Forget the technical stuff about planetary gear sets, torque-converters and hydraulic couplings, and just think on how much more relaxing it is to drive a car without a clutch pedal. Simply stick the lever in Drive, and then you only have to worry about the accelerator and brake (just don't get them confused). Ideal for long-distance cruising in comfort, or less stressful progress stop-starting in the city, not to mention the benefits for disabled drivers: it's just a mystery why so many manufacturers these days are convinced we all want sporty autos with pseudo-manual effects, fiddly sequential-shift paddles and confusing multi-way levers. If we wanted to change gear manually, we'd buy a manual.
The self-shifter as we know it was first fitted in the 1939 Oldsmobile Hydra-Matic, although REO had an earlier system that allowed for a clutchless initial getaway.
Forget the technical stuff about planetary gear sets, torque-converters and hydraulic couplings, and just think on how much more relaxing it is to drive a car without a clutch pedal. Simply stick the lever in Drive, and then you only have to worry about the accelerator and brake (just don't get them confused). Ideal for long-distance cruising in comfort, or less stressful progress stop-starting in the city, not to mention the benefits for disabled drivers: it's just a mystery why so many manufacturers these days are convinced we all want sporty autos with pseudo-manual effects, fiddly sequential-shift paddles and confusing multi-way levers. If we wanted to change gear manually, we'd buy a manual.
Cruise control
Early speed limiter systems were adapted from locomotives; a crude centrifugal device was fitted by Peerless prior to World War I, but cruise control as we know it didn't come till the late 50s, in the Chrysler Imperial.
Cruise control is a device that keeps the car at a selected speed, until the brakes are applied or you hit the accelerator; it is set or deactivated via a button or lever on the steering wheel. Popular with high-mileage execs on the motorway, just make sure you don't nod off at the wheel with your car still cruising on. The latest Adaptive Cruise Control systems maintain a given speed like regular cruise control, but also use radar to keep a set distance between you and the car in front, so you don't have to constantly brake and accelerate.
Early speed limiter systems were adapted from locomotives; a crude centrifugal device was fitted by Peerless prior to World War I, but cruise control as we know it didn't come till the late 50s, in the Chrysler Imperial.
Cruise control is a device that keeps the car at a selected speed, until the brakes are applied or you hit the accelerator; it is set or deactivated via a button or lever on the steering wheel. Popular with high-mileage execs on the motorway, just make sure you don't nod off at the wheel with your car still cruising on. The latest Adaptive Cruise Control systems maintain a given speed like regular cruise control, but also use radar to keep a set distance between you and the car in front, so you don't have to constantly brake and accelerate.
CVT gearboxes
The CVT (continuously-variable transmission) gearbox differs from a conventional automatic (see above) in that while an auto has a series of pre-set 'steps' or gear ratios, usually four or five - though six and seven are becoming increasingly widespread - a CVT is completely stepless.
Weird but simple, it uses an elastic drive band to continuously vary the ratio between engine and wheel speed, ensuring that it stays permanently in the correct power band. You accelerate, the wheels are turned faster. The concept has been around for centuries, with patents filed in the 1880s, but the first production car to use it was the 1958 Dutch DA F 600. It has been traditionally applied in small-engined little cars: however, in recent years manufacturers have worked out how to use such a system in larger, more powerful vehicles - Audi's Multitronic gearbox is a CVT, for example.
The CVT (continuously-variable transmission) gearbox differs from a conventional automatic (see above) in that while an auto has a series of pre-set 'steps' or gear ratios, usually four or five - though six and seven are becoming increasingly widespread - a CVT is completely stepless.
Weird but simple, it uses an elastic drive band to continuously vary the ratio between engine and wheel speed, ensuring that it stays permanently in the correct power band. You accelerate, the wheels are turned faster. The concept has been around for centuries, with patents filed in the 1880s, but the first production car to use it was the 1958 Dutch DA F 600. It has been traditionally applied in small-engined little cars: however, in recent years manufacturers have worked out how to use such a system in larger, more powerful vehicles - Audi's Multitronic gearbox is a CVT, for example.
Speedometers
With speed limits in place for even the earliest cars, a driver has always had to know how fast he or she is going. The first accurate speedometers were introduced by Oldsmobile in 1901. The more positive spin on the speedo is to see it as a means of measuring engineering and technical progress, and increasing performance achievements. Either way, it's a vital tool for motorists of all inclinations.
With speed limits in place for even the earliest cars, a driver has always had to know how fast he or she is going. The first accurate speedometers were introduced by Oldsmobile in 1901. The more positive spin on the speedo is to see it as a means of measuring engineering and technical progress, and increasing performance achievements. Either way, it's a vital tool for motorists of all inclinations.
Steering wheel
The first cars used a tiller-style steering system, similar to that of a boat, but this was less than precise, especially once driving speeds began to rise.
The easy-to-grasp automotive steering wheel, mounted up front, was pioneered by Packard from 1899, although popular models like the curved-dash Oldsmobile continued to use tillers well into the 20th century. The wheel was universal by 1910, however, and has remained so ever since; variations such as Citroen's single-spoke design and the infamous Austin 'Quartic' square wheel in the Allegro have failed to catch on.
Modern electronic steer-by-wire technology could eventually render the wheel redundant again, however: concepts such as GM's Hy-Wire have featured joystick-type steering controls and Suzuki's Concept X even featured... a tiller.
The first cars used a tiller-style steering system, similar to that of a boat, but this was less than precise, especially once driving speeds began to rise.
The easy-to-grasp automotive steering wheel, mounted up front, was pioneered by Packard from 1899, although popular models like the curved-dash Oldsmobile continued to use tillers well into the 20th century. The wheel was universal by 1910, however, and has remained so ever since; variations such as Citroen's single-spoke design and the infamous Austin 'Quartic' square wheel in the Allegro have failed to catch on.
Modern electronic steer-by-wire technology could eventually render the wheel redundant again, however: concepts such as GM's Hy-Wire have featured joystick-type steering controls and Suzuki's Concept X even featured... a tiller.