The EV1 was the first modern electric car designed for a mass market. Beginning in 1996, General Motors built 1,117 of the cars and leased most of them to consumers in California, Arizona, and Georgia. Marty Freedman, who worked in the Vehicle Test and Development area of GM’s electric vehicle program, wore this name badge during the first EV1 driveaway to dealers on November 14, 1996.
In the early 20th century, businesses and city governments owned many specialized, horse-drawn freight and service wagons. When owners decided to replace their horses with motor vehicles, tractors were more appealing than trucks because the wagons could be kept and used as trailers. The Knox Automobile Company manufactured tractors with a fifth wheel hitch that was adapted to wagons. And unlike a truck, a tractor could be detached from the wagon and haul more goods while the first wagon was being loaded or unloaded. The Knox-Martin’s single front wheel swung easily and turned the vehicle in a tight radius, accommodating these maneuvers.
Automobile traffic increased significantly in the early 20th century, and so did collisions between cars and trains. Railroad companies installed warning signs and bells at crossings, but drivers ignored the signs, and motor noise drowned out the bells. Charles Adler, Jr., an inventor of traffic safety devices, tried signs that moved to attract the driver's attention. His 1921 STOP signal turned toward motorists when a train was approaching. In 1922, the Association of American Railroads chose a different signal—a pair of alternating flashing red lights—as the national standard. Adler devised a relay to create the alternating light pattern, and it was used by more than 40 railroads.
In the 1930s, several inventors were issued patents for steering columns that collapsed on impact, sparing the driver from being impaled on the column in a crash. Scissors, piston, and spring designs were proposed. But collapsible steering columns did not enter production until 1967, when General Motors began installing two-piece columns with steel mesh that crumpled under pressure as the column telescoped. The mesh slowed impact by absorbing energy. Chrysler adopted a similar column in 1967, and Ford introduced its own collapsible design in 1968. This example was designed for a 1967 Chevrolet Chevy II.
Before motels were common, homeowners earned extra income by renting rooms by the night to motorists who were passing through town. Tourist homes offered a more comfortable alternative to autocamps and roadside cabins. They had a homelike atmosphere and domestic comforts that equaled travelers’ home furnishings. Some even served meals. In the evening, hosts and guests often engaged in conversation in the living room. The most successful tourist homes grew into roadside inns, but most stopped serving travelers when chain motels spread across the United States. This hand-painted wooden sign welcomed motorists at a tourist home in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, a rural community 25 miles from New York City.
Avon Products celebrated the recreational pickup camper with this dual container for Deep Woods after shave lotion (truck) and Deep Woods talc (camper). Pickup trucks were larger and more powerful by the 1950s, and the manufactured pickup camper became a new, practical alternative for vacationers, hunters, anglers, and others who wanted to spend the night in a recreation vehicle. A truck-mounted camper offered many advantages over a motor home or trailer: it was less expensive, lighter, faster, and easier to maneuver. The added weight over the rear drive wheel provided better traction in mud and gravel.
The EV1 was the first modern electric car designed for a mass market. Beginning in 1996, General Motors built 1,117 of the cars at the Lansing Craft Centre in Lansing, Michigan and leased most of them to consumers in California, Arizona, and Georgia. This bottle of Electrolight home brew, donated by GM engineer Jon Bereisa, represents the camaraderie of EV1 staff members, who volunteered for their assignments and socialized after work hours.
In 1987, General Motors, 16 GM subsidiaries, and AeroVironment, Inc. designed the GM Sunraycer solar electric car to compete in the first World Solar Challenge in Australia. Using lessons learned from the World Solar Challenge -- how driver activity, power consumption, battery life, and range interact -- GM and AeroVironment collaborated on the development of the Impact battery electric car in the 1990s. This plaque, presented to GM electric vehicles marketing staff member Jill Banaszynski, commemorates her role as marketing manager for the PrEView drive in 1994-1996, during which consumers test drove Impact cars.
In 1987, General Motors, 16 GM subsidiaries, and AeroVironment, Inc. designed the GM Sunraycer solar electric car to compete in the first World Solar Challenge in Australia. Using lessons learned from the World Solar Challenge -- how driver activity, power consumption, battery life, and range interact -- GM and AeroVironment collaborated on the development of the Impact battery electric car in the 1990s. The next generation EV1, which was based on the Impact, was the first modern electric car designed for a mass market. Beginning in 1996, General Motors built 1,117 EV1 cars at the Lansing Craft Centre in Lansing, Michigan and leased most of them to consumers in California, Arizona, and Georgia. This plaque, presented to GM electric vehicles staff member Jill Banaszynski, commemorates her role as a marketing manager for the Impact and EV1 programs.
General Motors introduced the Hybrid II crash test dummy in 1972 to provide better performance than other dummies made by specialized manufacturers. In the 1970s, GM began developing the more sophisticated Hybrid III, a sensitive, humanlike dummy that simulated and measured injuries to many parts of the body. Hybrid III had a better defined head, neck, spine, and posture than Hybrid II, and its 41 channels of information (compared to 8 channels in Hybrid II) measured impact to the head, torso, knee, and leg with greater precision. In 1997 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration certified Hybrid III as the only dummy to be used for compliance testing.
Avon Products celebrated Winnebago’s iconic status with this container for Wild Country after shave lotion. Vacationing families had invented the motor home to enjoy domestic comforts while exploring America’s back roads. The earliest examples in the 1910s and 1920s were cozy replicas of upper- and middle-class homes mounted on chassis. By the 1960s, with superhighways, paid vacations, and growing affluence, manufactured motor homes hit the road. In 1966, Winnebago Industries began making motor homes with modern looks, convenient layout, easy handling, and good performance. The Winnebago D-22 was an instant hit with affluent vacationers, securing the company’s place as America’s first mass-producer of motor homes.
In 1987, General Motors, 16 GM subsidiaries, and AeroVironment, Inc. designed the GM Sunraycer solar electric car to compete in the first World Solar Challenge in Australia. Using lessons learned from the project -- how driver activity, power consumption, battery life, and range interact -- GM and AeroVironment developed the emission-free Impact battery electric car in the 1990s. The double meaning of the slogan on this T-shirt represents pride and enthusiasm for the environmentally friendly car within General Motors’ electric vehicle staff. The T-shirt was donated by Jill Banaszynski, a marketing manager for the Impact program.
The EV1 was the first modern electric car designed for a mass market. In 1990, the California Air Resources Board required automakers to offer emission-free vehicles by 1998. Of the various makes and models of electric vehicles placed on the road in California, only the EV1 was designed from scratch. Its aerodynamic shape and advanced power management systems, developed by AeroVironment Inc., GM Electric Vehicles, Hughes Electronics, and other GM subsidiaries, made the new car practical, energy efficient, and appealing to consumers. Beginning in 1996, General Motors built 1,117 EV1 cars and leased most of them to consumers in California, Arizona, and Georgia. This cap, which was owned by Steven Tarnowsky, a member of the EV1 engineering and propulsion team, reflects employee enthusiasm within GM’s electric vehicle program.
In 1987, General Motors, 16 GM subsidiaries, and AeroVironment, Inc. designed the GM Sunraycer solar electric car to compete in the first World Solar Challenge in Australia. Using lessons learned from the project -- how driver activity, power consumption, battery life, and range interact -- GM and AeroVironment developed the emission-free Impact battery electric car in the 1990s. The double meaning of the slogan on this T-shirt represents pride and enthusiasm for the environmentally friendly car within General Motors’ electric vehicle staff. The T-shirt was donated by Jill Banaszynski, a marketing manager for the Impact program.
The EV1 was the first modern electric car designed for a mass market. In 1990, the California Air Resources Board required automakers to offer emission-free vehicles by 1998. Of the various makes and models of electric vehicles placed on the road in California, only the EV1 was designed from scratch. Its aerodynamic shape and advanced power management systems, developed by AeroVironment Inc., GM Electric Vehicles, Hughes Electronics, and other GM subsidiaries, made the new car practical, energy efficient, and appealing to consumers. Beginning in 1996, General Motors built 1,117 EV1 cars and leased most of them to consumers in California, Arizona, and Georgia. This mug, which was owned by Steven Tarnowsky, a member of the EV1 engineering and propulsion team, reflects employee enthusiasm within GM’s electric vehicle program.
In the late 1940s, Preston Tucker introduced a novel car with advanced safety features and futuristic styling. The Tucker Corporation obtained a factory and raised start-up money by selling stock and dealer franchises. Consumers purchased Tucker car radios and luggage as a way to reserve a car. This luggage was owned by Carl Woerz, a prospective Tucker dealer in Reno, Nevada. Tucker’s unorthodox fundraising methods caused the federal government to investigate his corporation on suspicion of fraud. Lawsuits and a grand jury indictment further eroded confidence. Tucker lost his factory and his dream of mass-producing “the first totally new car in 50 years.”
In the late 1940s, Preston Tucker introduced a novel car with advanced safety features and futuristic styling. The Tucker Corporation obtained a factory and raised start-up money by selling stock and dealer franchises. Consumers purchased Tucker car radios and luggage as a way to reserve a car. This luggage was owned by Carl Woerz, a prospective Tucker dealer in Reno, Nevada. Tucker’s unorthodox fundraising methods caused the federal government to investigate his corporation on suspicion of fraud. Lawsuits and a grand jury indictment further eroded confidence. Tucker lost his factory and his dream of mass-producing “the first totally new car in 50 years.”