Automobiles were first invented and perfected in France and Germany back in the 1800s, but by the first half of the 20th century, America had already gained dominance over the automotive industry. In 1920, Ford, Chrysler, and General Automotives had emerged as the three largest auto companies governed and were by the standard mass-production techniques innovated by Henry Ford.
During World War II, manufacturers used to funnel their resources to the military. Still, it did not take long before automobile production in Japan and Europe rose to meet the growing demand for vehicle production and distribution.
However, gradual technology evolution brought about substantial changes in both the functionality and design of today’s vehicles. The automobile industry is yet to find a balance between functionality and style, especially since modern car components deviate from standard car components. To help auto companies ease this transition, car services and maintenance websites like Glass.Net are being used to guarantee that your vehicle is safe.
What Changes Can Be Spotted Between Cars 50 Years Ago And Now
To determine whether style has overpowered vehicle functions, it is vital to familiarize yourself with the car features that have considerably evolved over the past 50 years:
Onboard Computers
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Volkswagen decided to introduce computers to vehicles back in 1968. When the first computer-controlled fuel injection hit the market, it managed to do a great job by working effectively. Today, you can own a vehicle that has more computer hardware in them than most people’s offices do.
This is one of the most significant changes that the automotive industry has experienced in the last 50 years. Back in the 1970s, most cars did not have any kind of computer control. Onboard computers gained popularity in the 1980s. Since the 90s, this trend has slowly normalized; today, it is impossible to come by a vehicle that lacks computer-controlled components in its engine.
This has facilitated greater functionality when engine operational efficiency is in question and reduced functionality when it comes to home repairs. Today, most vehicles can only be fixed by professionals who have specific mechanical certifications from the organization that made the car.
Computer control has promoted the use of components such as; Bluetooth devices, climate control devices, and cameras. This means that you can use your smartphone to communicate with your vehicle and vice versa. As miniaturized technology continues to expand, more and more computerized innovations continue to be introduced to the auto world.
Body Type
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Modern vehicles are still manufactured by the materials used to manufacture older vehicles. Heavy, full-metal vehicular bodies naturally affect fuel viability; therefore, the larger and heavier a vehicle is, the more fuel it runs on.
Heavier vehicles also tend to be less liable to impact on collision.
As opposed to American cars built in the 60s and 70s, Russian-manufactured cars are more susceptible to the wreckage. When involved in accidents, Russian vehicles tend to fall apart like they are made of paper. Part of this has to do with the fact that most of these cars are manufactured with cheap and light materials.
While using cheap designs is functional from one perspective and facilitates minimal fuel economy, it is less functional from a perspective that prioritizes safety. This is where the functionality tradeoff comes in.
Some people find lengthy twenty-foot Cadillacs and generally large vehicles more stylish. At the end of the day, your preferences will determine the kind of vehicle you own. You might prefer a compact car that is fast and goes easy on fuel consumption or a large vintage vehicle that burns through a lot of gas, either way, it all comes down to your opinion.
Laminated Safety Glass for Car Windshields
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Safety glass is essential for every type of car. Modern windshields are normally made of laminated safety glass. Before the introduction of safety glass, traditional glass was used for car windshields.
Back then, in the event of a collision, both drivers and passengers would rocket through the windshields and bleed to death with shards of glass piercing and sticking out of their bodies. Now, with the inauguration of safety glass, collisions are a lot less fatal even if the driver were to rocket through the windshield. Even though impacts like that can lead to fatal concussive cranial damage, safety glass significantly reduces the fatality rate of such accidents.
Additionally, safety glass can easily be repaired or replaced if the need arises. Because the auto world has broadened over the past 50 years, car service, repair, and maintenance have become a lot more practical than it was in the 70s.
Today, you can effortlessly contact a convenient automotive repair and maintenance website that offers glass replacement or repair services and at a reasonable price. As a result of vehicular innovation over the past few decades, mechanical options have also been relatively enhanced. Even though the new technology is a little difficult for car owners to adapt to, there is a myriad of service options that are readily available to you.
Owner Maintenance
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Due to enhanced engineering computer-controlled components and efficiency, replacing and repairing parts of modern cars is next to inconceivable. Vehicle modernization has reduced functionality through convenience and cost reduction but increased safety, efficiency, and style.
It is unnecessary to contact a mechanic when you know that to replace a component; you will have to disconnect the old one and install a new one in its place. Older vehicles made this easier since traditional vehicle components were easily repairable and offered years of service before you had to replace them.
To Sum It Up
Each of the modifications mentioned above significantly impacts style and functionality. You would not be completely misinformed if you believed that today’s cars are manufactured more for impressive designs rather than functionality. This causes a functionality tradeoff between large vintage vehicles that use a lot of gas but prioritize your safety and compact cars that are fuel-friendly and fast.
