Department
History and Political Science
Major
Mechanical Engineering
Research Advisor
Ahmad, Diana L., 1953-
Advisor's Department
History and Political Science
Funding Source
History and Political Sciences
Abstract
In the late 19th century when automobiles first made an appearance in the United States, they were only affordable to the wealthy. Others who often could not afford the vehicles believed they were dangerous to pedestrians and causing congestion in cities. As cars became affordable to working-class individuals, they caused many positive socio-economic changes in urban and rural areas.
The research conducted for this poster compiles information from secondary books, databases, and contemporary newspapers focusing on the impact of the automobile. This poster includes data related to urban sprawl and the creation of suburban areas that were only accessible by car. There is also data pertaining to the effects of cars on rural areas, including the positive impact they had on public school attendance during the early 20th century and the increased access to centralized healthcare in hospitals and doctors’ offices. In 1914, Henry Ford created what later became known as the $5 workday paying select factory workers $5 for an 8-hour workday, nearly double the normal daily wage for a factory worker of this era. Higher wages allowed Ford’s workers to become the company’s best customers. As a result, they became a mobile advertisement for the new vehicles. Ultimately, the automobile industry came to dominate the American culture.
Biography
A native of St. Louis, Greg Dreisewerd is a freshman at Missouri S&T planning to major in mechanical engineering. He is also on the school’s swim team and just completed his first season. His research project for this conference is about the socio-economic impact that early automobiles had on the United States from the 1890s to the 1930s.
Research Category
Humanities/Social Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Award
Arts and Humanities poster presentation, First place
Location
Upper Atrium
Presentation Date
14 Apr 2022, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
The History of Automobiles in the United States
Upper Atrium
In the late 19th century when automobiles first made an appearance in the United States, they were only affordable to the wealthy. Others who often could not afford the vehicles believed they were dangerous to pedestrians and causing congestion in cities. As cars became affordable to working-class individuals, they caused many positive socio-economic changes in urban and rural areas.
The research conducted for this poster compiles information from secondary books, databases, and contemporary newspapers focusing on the impact of the automobile. This poster includes data related to urban sprawl and the creation of suburban areas that were only accessible by car. There is also data pertaining to the effects of cars on rural areas, including the positive impact they had on public school attendance during the early 20th century and the increased access to centralized healthcare in hospitals and doctors’ offices. In 1914, Henry Ford created what later became known as the $5 workday paying select factory workers $5 for an 8-hour workday, nearly double the normal daily wage for a factory worker of this era. Higher wages allowed Ford’s workers to become the company’s best customers. As a result, they became a mobile advertisement for the new vehicles. Ultimately, the automobile industry came to dominate the American culture.
