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History of the Automobile

V end of XIX century Vehicle industry development moved slowly and clumsily: a contemporary of his relatives, except that the internal combustion engine. However, in 1914, with the beginning of the First World War - after only 29 years since the introduction of the first unpretentious Benz models - in fact, already laid down the fundamental principles of the modern car.
This is truly a great car, because without their inspirational example of current progress would be impossible.
It all started in 1885 with a three-wheeled car Karl Benz. In the picture - an exact replica of the museum "Daimler-Benz". And it is not frozen museum piece, but the acting period, the birth machine motor. And manage it more easily than might appear at first glance. In the picture you can see open crankshaft, a huge horizontal flywheel, belt transmission and a simple differential.

Daimler and Benz - founders of avtomobilestroeniyaOtrasl Automotive was founded in Germany, where in 1885, Karl Benz (Karl Benz) (1848-1929) constructed his three-wheeled "cart with a gasoline engine." At the same time Gottlieb Daimler (Gottlieb Daimler) (1834-1900) built a bicycle with a motor, and a year later - "cart" on the motor traction.
Long before they were set up mechanisms worked by internal combustion engine, but Benz was the first to offer the buyer fit for service prototype of the modern car, a Daimler first started in the production of a functional car engine.
Long before they were already established mechanisms, indicated by an internal combustion engine, but Benz was the first to suggest a buyer for the good operation of the prototype of the modern car, a Daimler first started in the production of a functional car engine.
Three-wheeled creation of Karl Benz (1886) became the world's first car, running into industrial production. His engine cylinder capacity of 1.7 liters orientated. Behind acted oversized flywheel. At the dawn of the automobile industry this "monster" managed, usually with the help of T-shaped steering wheel.
In the three-wheeled vehicle Benz (1885) used the engine with water cooling. It was located horizontally along with a huge horizontal flywheel and open crankshafts. The engine drives the rear wheels, with the belt and chain with a simple differential. The greatest achievement of the design ideas could be considered the presence of an electric ignition and the inlet valve with a mechanical drive. In the original version of the engine capacity of 985 cc, the quantity insufficient even for overclocking machine. Therefore, when the machine was put into production on it established a more powerful engine cylinder capacity of 1.7 liters, as well as two-stage gearbox. Engine power increased from year to year: from 0.75 hp 2,5 hp That was enough to drive (very dangerous) with a maximum speed of 19 km / hour. However, Benz continued to look, and soon his offspring successfully performed in the then known races of London-to-Brighton Run, having an average speed of 13 km / hour. Industrial (in the modern sense of the word) car manufacturing began in 1890.
Three years later, "Benz" produced the first four-wheel vehicles. Created on the basis of three-wheel design, by the time they seemed frankly old-fashioned. However, despite the quiet course and primitive, they are distinguished by simplicity, accessibility for maintenance and repairs, and durable. Later came two-cylinder changed, but at the insistence of the Benz, the initial technical solutions largely remained unchanged.
Modernization of the first four-wheeled "Benz" (1892) continued to 1901. Despite the simplicity design, these machines were produced over 2300 pieces. In the photo - a model "Viktoria" in 1893.
In 1909, the company was faced with difficulties. Despite the will of the Benz, was recruited a group of French engineers, who designed an improved model of the car. She tried to put into production in 1903, but all ended in failure, prompting Karl Benz to forget about his ambitions: he suggested a modern four-cylinder inline engine that meets the requirements of the new chassis. After running in the production of "hybrid" business model the company went slowly up the hill.
The first model of Gottlieb Daimler in 1886 - an attempt to use horse carriage as the power unit. The main mechanical parts are still very primitive, noodnotsilindrovy engine - the prototype of modern automobile engines.
In contrast to the Benz, Daimler, not rushed forward. More interested in stationary engines, he and his colleague Wilhelm Maybach (Wilhelm Maybach) (1846-1929) in 1889 established its first functional vehicle "Daimler", launching it into production in 1895. Simultaneously, the company is widely licensed its engines, thereby laying the foundation for the release of such models than ever before, as the French "Panhard" and "Peugeot". A year later (in 1889-m) came racing car capacity of 24 hp, which, thanks to embedded within his technical innovations, in particular four-cylinder engine, developing a speed of 80.5 kph. "Daimler-Benz" was cumbersome and fraught with certain dangers. Subsequently, co-owner, an Austrian banker Emil Jellinek (Emil Ellinek), stated the need to produce more light weight and obedient in the management of the car. He engaged in a careful study of the market, and soon found many willing to have such a car.
As a result, was born well-known model is now named in honor of his daughter, Mercedes. It was published at the end of 1900, and became, according to historians, the prototype of the modern car.
In the photograph - the first "Mercedes" (December 1890) - a prototype of the modern car with a simple body, destined to participate in road races. Instead, it could be installed four "walking" the body. The picture shows a good view of the gearshift lever.
Model "Mercedes" 35 hp united in itself: transmissions, cellular radiator and ignition from the magnet low voltage - from the former Daimler models - and technological innovation - low-lying light stamped frame and the motorized intake valves (although on this news later had to be abandoned). The combination of these solutions gave birth to the car, which was different from its predecessors more reliable operation and was unusually obedient to the will of the driver. Dramatically improve the efficiency of the brakes, and safety management of the new model will soon become proverbial.
Since all models "Daimler" began to be called "Mercedes".
In the photograph - one of the models of the company "Daimler" - "Mercedes-Simplex" in 1904. It installed four-cylinder 5.3-liter working volume with side valves. Even today, the model does not look old-fashioned.

Technical Initiative - in the hands of FrantsiiPoka Benz in Germany in crisis, and the Daimler, despite everything, sought to improve their models, France took the baton and technical initiatives. The strongest was a firm "Panhard et Levassor", which initially specialized in the production of band saws and woodworking machines. In 1890, she started to produce two-cylinder V-engine "Daimler" and was then presented to the public two crews, each of which was used instead of horse-drawn traction engines "Daimler", set in the middle of the body.
The following year there is another car with a vertical engine, but the placement is in the front. This design improves the stability of the car, as well as the very nature of governance (with rotary cam and a trapezoid), but other technical solutions are still preserved from horse-drawn carriages.
The car has been and disadvantages: clutch constitute gross mechanism, although the gearbox used previously unknown slip gears. The main gear was a chain, and the differential was very simple design.
Despite the conservative technical solutions, in 1891, "Panhard" laid the foundation for the construction of light vehicle, which was destined to become almost universal at 60 years: on the front engine and rear drive wheels. System Panhard "in its first incarnation was difficult to manage the car, compared with undemanding" slug "" Benz ". But he had an infinite capacity for improvement.
Presented at the photo "Panhard et Levassor" in 1891 served his master for 40 years and is now stored in a Paris museum. Fixed front engine with an attached clutch and gearbox, made the layout scheme, chosen "Panhard", dominant in the design of vehicles for 60 years.
The process of modernization took place in the following order: first, there were side chains and the differential with bevel gears, then - cone clutch, similar to that used on lathes. Then, in 1898, there was a control with steering wheel, which activates a system of levers, rods and joints, transmitting movement from the steering mechanism to the steered wheels. Designers gradually learned to select the slope of the pin stub axle in the longitudinal plane, making the machine subservient wheel. This appears to us the germ of the modern car.
In the picture - well-known veteran, "Panhard" 1903, frequently participated in the ranges of the London-to-Brighton Run. Cylinder capacity machine was 1,653 cc, maximum speed - about 52 km / hour, as the engine develops the power of 7 hp
Almost at the same time, the Count De Dion (Comte Albert de Dion) (1856-1946) joins forces with an engineer Georges Bouton (Georges Bouton) (1847-1938). The result of this duo was the company "De Dion-Bouton". Starting with the construction of steam engines, "De Dion-Bouton" in 1885 and constructed a modest-looking engine with 0,5 hp, what has made a significant contribution to the car: it was the first high-speed automotive engine operating mode 1500 . / min., but capable of working at 3000 rpm., without disintegrating into pieces. For comparison: the engine "Daimler" could boast of only 700-900 rpm. This lightweight powerplant immediately put gasoline engine in front of gas and steam grandparents, beating them by their technical characteristics and speed: crank mechanisms, elaboration of the mechanical part and, most importantly, a circuit breaker plug (to prevent the arbitrary increase in the number of revolutions). This engine was installed on the three-wheeled car De Dion in 1895, and his power has steadily increased: from 0.75 hp to a more impressive 2.75 hp
New equipment, inexpensive, easy to maintain and simple to use, enjoy steady demand. Soon, some firms began to remake them in four-wheel vehicles, building you a place for passengers on the new front axle. "De Dion-Bouton" immediately responded to the needs of the market and has in 1899 issued a four-wheeled car ("voiturette").
The new and improved modification of the power of 3.5 hp is a familiar model of "De Dion", with the original design of the rear axle and successfully link, thus reducing its weight. It was not opening - the decision has already been used on steam cars - yes to him and did not claim nor Dion nor bud, but was felt for a very successful scheme of the rear axle - that engineers have a number of major firms, such as "Lancia", and " Rover ", seen many years later.
The photo shows a model company "De Dion-Bouton" in 1905 with an engine capacity of 8 hp Such single-cylinder compacts are characterized by simplicity and reliability, which led to their exceptional popularity.
Well-designed De Dion Bouton and a small single-cylinder machines have gained popularity in the market, and lasted until 1912, despite the emergence of two-cylinder and four-cylinder models. This was due to reliability, comfort, ease of management and sufficient power. In addition, the engine "De Dion-Bouton" from 1898 to 1908 gave birth to a hundred different versions, but they, in turn - many very prestigious cars.
One of them - "Renault", who had good reason to be proud. Louis Renault (Louis Renault) (1877-1944) was not a technical genius, but in younger years, engaging in the production of cars, not afraid to innovate, proof of which was his model in 1898. This is a car with the engine "De Dion" with a capacity of 1.75 hp on tubular frame.
Depicted in the photo machine - a copy of the car, built "Renault" in 1899. In the background - "Renault", 1907. In its first models used Louis Renault engine "De Dion", preferring the cardan shaft transmission chain, which was a significant technical innovation.
This "baby" was established revolutionary at the time transmission with high, direct transmission. Torque to the rear wheels are not transmitted chain, and shaft with cardan joint. So Reno has laid a new scheme of the main transmission, which remained unchanged until the present time, at least for the strongest supporters drive the rear wheels. An unusual but very functional was drive shaft, and the popularity of chain drive is gradually slowed down. However, this process has developed slowly: for example, to held in 1903 in Paris Motor Show, more than 60 percent of all machines used a rear axle with a chain drive. But this does not detract from the merits of Reno.

Britain: from "Lanchester" to "Rolls-Royce" England remained behind France and Germany to manufacture cars. The first "Daimler", created by the British, appeared in 1897. He was an only copy of the model "Panhard et Levassor", equipped with engines "Daimler", which were originally imported from Germany.
In the photo - model 1897 with two-cylinder engine. The first model of "Daimler" in England copied the design of "Panhard", while not the most successful way. Industrial production of cars began in 1897.
The most original of all automotive engineers, Frederick William Lanchester (Frederick William Lanchester) (1868-1946) has a very unique approach to the issues of designing the car.
The first "Lanchester" was made in 1895-1896, respectively, and was not unlike any other car at that time. According to the chronicler automotive Anthony Byrd, "it was the first passenger car in the world, established on a scientific basis as a whole. However, its industrial production was only launched in late 1900.
The power unit was an engine with two cylinders arranged oppositely, and two rotating in different directions crankshafts, each of which - with the three connecting rods. Both were connected to the shaft gear with helical teeth, so there was no vibration, which provided the engine unattainable at the time balance. The motor also included the original valve mechanism that ensures durability valve, and fully automatic lubrication system. This amazing engine is paired with planar transmission, from which torque is transmitted short cardan shaft worm gear rear axle, and the rear axle was fitted with ball bearings and slotted axes, which in those days it seemed the highest achievement in engineering.
All units were permanently mounted on the frame, including the fuel tank, which gave structure additional rigidity. Controlled machine with an easy and simple T-shaped steering wheel. An innovation was also on the magneto ignition and a low voltage, and the simplest in structure wick carburetor, preventing pollution fuel.
Several complicated, but perfect in its technical solution, two-cylinder model "Lanchester" bypassed its competitors, thanks to their reliability, gentleness and simplicity of the operation. But, unfortunately, it has proved itself too late: the industry already has adopted a layout for the system, "Panhard".
Subsequent models "Lanchester" has less stored unconventional spirit of the first car.
Models "Lanchester" have always been not only his heterodoxy, but also the iron logic inherent in their designer Frederick Lanchester. As shown in the picture the model 1903 two-cylinder engine was in the middle of the body. Attracts attention and is characteristic of the early "Lanchester" beveled falshkapot.
It is highly conservative and most responsive to British tastes, and with a distinct reputation as a sports car, appeared to mark "Napier".
In 1901, the company experiencing serious opposition, has designed the first British racing car which has won at the Gordon Bennett Trophy in 1902 an impressive victory.