Automotive Milestones: The Technological Development of the Automobile: Who, What, When, Where, and How It All Works - Paperback

by Robert L. Norton (Author)

"If you are just looking for a general understanding of the automobile, looking for inspiration in support of a new idea, or just want a concise history of automotive milestones, this book is a must read."

-Parker Ackley, Antique Automobile Enthusiast

"Automotive Milestomes is a clear presentation of the internal workings of the automobile over the years...you will enjoy reading this book."

This is a general-interest trade book that describes the development of automotive technology and engineering from the start of the industry before 1900 to the present day. It explains how various systems and elements in the automobile work in layman's terms, without resorting to mathematics, and highlights the key milestones in the historical development of automotive technology. All photos and illustrations are in full color.

The intended audience is older teens to adults of any age who are interested in cars and may be involved with them as a hobby. Sometimes referred to as "gearheads " or "motorheads," they form a huge market. Over the years, many of the author's engineering students were in this category, and he often would meet with on-campus car clubs to explain the internal workings of automobiles, being careful to damp down or eliminate any complicated mathematics--just as he does in this book.

The other books that cover this subject are either "hard-engineering oriented"-- such as publications from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) -- or just compendiums of dates without much explanation at all of how the changes in technology actually work, which is the aim of this book.

Front Jacket

This is a general-interest trade book that describes the development of automotive technology and engineering from the start of the industry before 1900 to the present day. It explains how various systems and elements in the automobile work in layman's terms, without resorting to mathematics, and highlights the key milestones in the historical development of automotive technology. All photos and illustrations are in full color. The intended audience is older teens to adults of any age who are interested in cars and may be involved with them as a hobby. Sometimes referred to as "gearheads" or "motorheads," they form a huge market. Over the years, many of the author's engineering students were in this category, and he often would meet with on-campus car clubs to explain the internal workings of automobiles, being careful to damp down or eliminate any complicated mathematicsjust as he does in this book. The other books that cover this subject are either "hard-engineering oriented"such as publications from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)or just compendiums of dates without much explanation at all of how the changes in technology actually work, which is the aim of this book.

Author Biography

Robert L. Norton, P.E. has 50 years experience in the practice and teaching of mechanical engineering. He holds undergraduate degrees in mechanical engineering and industrial technology from Northeastern University, and a M.S. in engineering design from Tufts University. Having designed cams for camera mechanisms at Polaroid Corporation, he subsequently spent many years doing design work at Gillette and many other companies. He taught kinematics, dynamics, stress analysis, and machine design to mechanical engineering students for more than 40 years at Northeastern, Tufts, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he is theMilton Prince Higgins II Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering. Additionally, he has published many technical papers and holds 13 U.S. patents. He is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.