About the Automatic Transmission
The invention of the automatic transmission has been great!There are no missing shift gates, no lugging engine, no torn-stocking. It isliterally as easy as pressing the gas petal.
In originally automobiles only had manual transmissions ,which we know as the stick-shift vehicles. These models had two forward gearsalong with one reverse gear, which worked with the engine and different petals.As automobiles become more and more popular, car engineers began thinking morecreatively on how to have automobiles that shift automatically from one gear toanother gear. Engineers spend years, even decades trying to perfect the idea ofan automatic transmission.
Here is a quick history overview of automatictransmissions.
Overview of the 1st Automatic Transmission
In 1921, the automatic transmission was invented by AlfredHorner, a Canadian steam engineer. He designed the transmission to usecompressed air instead of hydraulic fluid, but it lacked the necessary powerand never was commercially sold. Later in the 1930’s, General Motors developedthe first hydraulic fluid automatic transmission, which was introduced in 1940as the original “Hydra-Matic.”
The first automobile model to use an automatic transmissionwas the 1948 Oldsmobile. The General Motors engineer, Earl Thompson, developedand advertised the Hyrda-Matic as, The greatest advance since theself-starter.” Through 1955, the Hydra-Matic went through constant upgrading byusing the originally design. The Hydra-Matic was replaced with the “Jetaway” inthe year 1956. The Jetaway, also known as the “Jet,” was unsuccessful and wassoon itself replaced in 1969 by the more successful Turbo Hydra-Matic.
How Successful was the Hydra-Matic Transmission?
The Hydra-Matic was one the most successful innovations inhistory for the automobile. Although it was not the first ever automatictransmission, the was the first commercial success that helped guide the theoryfarther in the world of the automatic transmissions.
The automatic transmission technology came at a perfect timein history, since North America was victorious from World War II and increasingsteam for the post-war boom. As the popularity of the automatic continued toboom, President Hoover made the fulfillment of the previously unfulfilledpromise, “a car in every garage and a chicken in every pot.” Which widen theuse of the automobiles in the mobile workforce, help the flow of migration inthe suburbs, and accepted women into the economy following the war effort. Thebest improvement that came from the success of the automatic transmission isthe numerous counts of forward gears transmissions that have switched toelectronically controlled transmissions.
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FAQs
Overview of the 1st Automatic Transmission
Later in the 1930's, General Motors developed the first hydraulic fluid automatic transmission, which was introduced in 1940 as the original “Hydra-Matic.” The first automobile model to use an automatic transmission was the 1948 Oldsmobile.
When did cars switch from manual to automatic? ›
In 1957 over 80% of new cars in the United States had automatic transmissions. Automatic transmissions have been standard in large cars since at least 1974. By 2020 only 2.4% of new cars had manual transmissions.
What was the first car to have a true automatic transmission? ›
The First Automatic Transmissions
General Motors then developed the first automatic transmission using hydraulic fluid in the 1930's, and introduced the “Hydra-Matic” transmission in 1940. The 1948 Oldsmobile was the first model to use a true automatic transmission.
Did GM invent the automatic transmission? ›
GM introduced the very first automatic transmission, called the Hydra-Matic, on the 1940 Oldsmobile. It's ease of use and simplicity were universally adored and soon every car manufacturer adopted the idea. Yet another technology invented by GM that is still used today.
What was the first GM automatic transmission? ›
Hydramatic (also known as Hydra-Matic) is an automatic transmission developed by both General Motors' Cadillac and Oldsmobile divisions. Introduced in 1939 for the 1940 model year vehicles, the Hydramatic was the first mass-produced fully-automatic transmission developed for passenger automobile use.
What year did Ford start making automatic transmissions? ›
Although it's not generally known, starting in 1942, Ford offered some of their cars with an optional semi-automatic transmission, and starting with the 1947 model year, an optional fully automatic transmission was to be offered o all of its cars.
What was the first car with a push-button shift? ›
When the 1958 Edsel launched in the late summer of 1957, the Edsel became the first and only Ford division to launch an electro-mechanical push-button transmission system, which it trademarked as Teletouch. Teletouch placed the transmission buttons in a ring within the center of the steering wheel.
What was the first Chevy automatic transmission? ›
When introduced on upper-level Chevrolet models in 1950, the Powerglide represented the first automatic transmission offered in a low-priced automobile; in contrast, Ford did not offer their automatic transmission until 1951, while Plymouth car buyers had to wait until 1954.
What was the first automatic transmission in a pickup truck? ›
It's strange to see a 1947-'54 GM pickup without a clutch pedal and with the Hydra-Matic range indicator on the column, but GMC first installed the automatic in light trucks in 1953. The driver had three ranges to choose from, plus reverse and neutral.
Did a black man invent the automatic transmission? ›
Richard Spikes
But his most influential invention is the Automatic Gear Shift Device that created the fundamental structure of what is known today as the automatic transmission.
The Ford–GM 10-speed automatic transmission is part of a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and General Motors to design and engineer two transmissions: a longitudinal 10-speed transmission and a transverse 9-speed trans-axle.
What does TH350 stand for? ›
The Turbo Hydramatic 350, also known as the TH350, is widely regarded as one of the best three-speed automatic transmissions ever created. The TH350 strikes a good mix between strength and size, making it suitable for use in smaller vehicles.
When was the first stick shift car made? ›
The manual transmission was first developed in 1894. Louis-Rene Panhard and Emile Levassor, French inventors, are credited with the design and manufacture of the first manual transmission. Their transmission was used in the manufacture of cars such as the Renault.
What was the first 7 speed automatic transmission? ›
The world's first 7-speed automatic transmission, the W7A700 from Mercedes-Benz, is called 7G-Tronic. In September 2003, the Mercedes Car Group set another milestone in the field of transmissions by introducing the fifth generation of automatic transmissions developed and manufactured in-house since 1960.
