Like many aspects of our lives 100 years ago, buying a car was very, very different. Drivers were not as concerned about the way it looked, the sleek and shiny exterior paint, body style, wheels, or rims. They wanted to know what powered the vehicle, how long it would take, and how far it would go.
Gas
Back then it was not as easy to turn on your car. Today we slide the key into the ignition, turn it, and the car roars to life. Some of us even have the keyless entry option. A century ago, to start a gas car, for example, the driver had to turn a crank in the front and use a lot of muscle to get it going.
Steam
Some cars required a blowtorch to spark igniter fuel under the hood because the water in the tank had to heat up before steam could power the vehicle. This usually took 45 minutes or longer.
Electric
If you had an electric car, it still needed a way to charge up its batteries. Keep in mind, however, not every household had electricity back then needed to charge a vehicle. These cars could also only drive for about 30 miles. And today, that’s longer than the average person’s commute to work.
History shows us gas was the most popular option until newer technology was invented, morphing these relics into the vehicles we drive today.
If you have any questions, visit Tom Scott Honda. We service vehicles in Nampa, Boise, Meridian, and Middletown, Idaho.
