"In short, the automobile, the device on which most Americans rely for not only transportation but mobility, privacy, and fun would not exist if it had to be created today. Of course, the car does exist, and has powerfully affected the living, working, and social spaces of America. But the argument against it persists. That argument dominates the thinking of academic experts on urban transportation and much of city planning. It can be found in countless books complaining of dreary suburban architecture, endless trips to and from work, the social isolation produced by solo auto trips , and the harmful effects of the car on air quality, noise levels, petroleum consumption, and road congestion."
An excerpt from "Cars and Their Enemies.", published in 50 essays.
Cars and Their Enemies
This essay was written by James Q. Wilson in 1997. This essay poses the question, if automobiles hadn't been invented until now, would they still be adopted?
This essay was written by James Q. Wilson in 1997. This essay poses the question, if automobiles hadn't been invented until now, would they still be adopted?
A Series of Interviews About the Effects of the Automobile in the Progressive Era
These interviews, collected by the WPA, showcase both the positive and negative feelings towards the invention and popularization of the personal automobile. As always, there were the forward thinkers who were delighted, and those that believed the ways of the past were best.
These interviews, collected by the WPA, showcase both the positive and negative feelings towards the invention and popularization of the personal automobile. As always, there were the forward thinkers who were delighted, and those that believed the ways of the past were best.
Source Credit from Top to Bottom:
- Nordyke & Marmon Company. The Marmon "Thirty-two" Touring Car; $ 2,400.00. 1909. New York Public Library, digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/ 510d47de-079c-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99. Accessed 26 Oct. 2016.
- "Cars and Their Enemies." 50 Essays, pp. 1-13. Excerpt originally published in 50 Essays, a Portable Anothology, Bedford/St. Martin's, 2004, pp. 451-64.
- "Automobiles in the Progressive Areas and New Areas." Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/ timeline/progress/autos/. Accessed 16 Nov. 2016.
- Maitland, Bill. "Fill It Up, Sir." Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/teachers/ classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/progress/ autos/mister.html. Accessed 22 Nov. 2016. Interview.
- Sanders, Buck. "The Inventor." Library of Congress, 1939, www.loc.gov/teachers/ classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/progress/ autos/inventor.html. Accessed 22 Nov. 2016. Interview.
- Bartlett, Ella. "[Miss Ella Bartlett]." Interview by Louis G. Bassett. Library of Congress, 1939, www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/progress/autos/mrsbart.html. Accessed 16 Nov. 2016.
- Gooding, Robert C., Mr., and Robert C. Gooding, Mrs. "The Goodings Talk about the Impact of the Automobile." Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/teachers/ classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/progress/ autos/impact.html. Accessed 22 Nov. 2016. Interview.
- Gould, Robert E. "Hotels and Automobiles." Library of Congress, 1936, www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/ timeline/progress/autos/hotels.html. Accessed 22 Nov. 2016. Interview.
- Nordyke & Marmon Company. The Marmon "Thirty-two" Touring Car; $ 2,400.00. 1909. New York Public Library, digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/ 510d47de-079c-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99. Accessed 26 Oct. 2016.
- "Cars and Their Enemies." 50 Essays, pp. 1-13. Excerpt originally published in 50 Essays, a Portable Anothology, Bedford/St. Martin's, 2004, pp. 451-64.
- "Automobiles in the Progressive Areas and New Areas." Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/ timeline/progress/autos/. Accessed 16 Nov. 2016.
- Maitland, Bill. "Fill It Up, Sir." Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/teachers/ classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/progress/ autos/mister.html. Accessed 22 Nov. 2016. Interview.
- Sanders, Buck. "The Inventor." Library of Congress, 1939, www.loc.gov/teachers/ classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/progress/ autos/inventor.html. Accessed 22 Nov. 2016. Interview.
- Bartlett, Ella. "[Miss Ella Bartlett]." Interview by Louis G. Bassett. Library of Congress, 1939, www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/progress/autos/mrsbart.html. Accessed 16 Nov. 2016.
- Gooding, Robert C., Mr., and Robert C. Gooding, Mrs. "The Goodings Talk about the Impact of the Automobile." Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/teachers/ classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/progress/ autos/impact.html. Accessed 22 Nov. 2016. Interview.
- Gould, Robert E. "Hotels and Automobiles." Library of Congress, 1936, www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/ timeline/progress/autos/hotels.html. Accessed 22 Nov. 2016. Interview.