I'l l agree with Bass, Hot Rod magazine and others were spreading the gospel to all 4 corners back then. Glad you're still with us Big A.
I'll have to agree with this one. Nothing bigger in the 20th century than the microprocessor. It changed everything.
I think the Apple IPHONE is another example of PR baffling brains. Yeah, it's great, and like most Apple products it has fantastic (intuitive) interface. But the phone I've been using for the last 18mths (Imate Jamin) is about 3 generations from the latest version and will still do everything an IPHONE can AND it has CoPilot (GPS Navigation and maps) built in. It also survived a good bouncing down the road after ejecting from my pocket whilst I was riding my Retro BMX cruiser to work (it has a metal case) - I would post pics of the dented, scratched-up case but as my Ricoh is in being repaired the phone is the only other camera (2megapixel) that I have. Like all products, Automotive and otherwise, it pays to do your research before jumping on the "me too" bandwagon. BTW, the Iphone is NOT YET compatable with the lastest generation (3G) network in Australia. -Pete.
I'll tell you EXACTLY what lit that fuse...it was movies (James Dean; Marlon Brando) and television (Route 66 and others). As soon as there were TV's in most households, there was programming that showed hot-rodding. Also, don't forget about rock n' roll...Wolfman Jack and the like...i.e."American Graffitti"
Every period of human cultural growth has been spurred-on by some type of mass media or improved interpersonal communication. We might still be in the dark ages if not for the printing press. The telegraph, telephone, radio, TV and the internet have brought progressive and corresponding advancements. I agree, specialty magazines such as Hot Rod, TV and movies transferred ideas more rapidly than ever before. When people are exposed to new ideas, minds can change and the lights of inovation spark. Men were exposed to many new sights in WWII and Korea, which lessened the natural fears a bit. Opened them up to the idea of risk-taking as fun. Many forget that US men were subject to mandatory millitary service up into the sixties. That 'ell make a man out of ya and be a self-starter. Not afraid to tear something apart and put it back together. Is a Hot Rodder traight (or should be). I don't have the time today to write an essay on this abut I've got one in me.
The Thermos bottle. It keep my drink cold in the summer and keep my coffee hot in the winter. What's amazing...........how do it know. Those here have made a lot of good points as to what the most important technological advancements are. I will agree with those who credit the Greatest Generation, the WWII vets who returned home to live life to it's fullest. They developed the core of hot rodding for those who followed. Through their efforts most everything of modern tecnology has evolved.
This is the same but different... Why or how in the 50's 60's were cars with a hell of alot less technology than we have currently able to run high 10's and low 11's in the quarter... You have all heard the stories of the guy who had a 57 chevy with a 30 over 289 and a 4 speed running low 11's with a 4 speed and a set of 8 inch slicks... With todays parts, forged this and that,mds boxes, nitrous, aluminum heads people spend thousands and thousands and still struggle to run these numbers without really getting carried away... Old school guys step up and explain please!
The automatic transmission, rear view mirror, and a womans compact. Due to those things there are many more donor cars in the junk yards.
The removal of monster bush from porn I hate to say it but...EBAY. it has made it both easier and a bain to get parts or to people around the U.S. that can get them. Love it or Hate it!
So this thread seems to have divided into three (or more) seperate threads. In looking back at the original question Ryan asked about what changed hotrodding in its early days I would say the availability of power tools had a big impact. It allowed for wide spread homebuilding. I sure as hell am glad that I arrived after the electric grinder! And I think Bass nailed it-Hot Rod had a HUGE influence. That combined with a strong economy, good tools, the combined learned skills of the vets, and ...
LOL funny you mention that, I am on the can with my MacBook right now. Wire less, with bluetooth as well. I have a tv tray I take with me to the can(when I know I might be a while) and do my business and HAMB it up too
As Bill Wallace said "printed material". I'd add spacifically, illustrated magazines. First B&W then colour. Think how the proliferation of PICTURES in this period affected our subject .
hmmm cheap gas hotrod magazine and lo tech autos quality used lo milage cars/trucks no salt used on the ever increasing paved roadways plentiful work if ya were willing dependable condoms and the beginning of rock and roll
On top of many great innovations posted in this thread, I think the affordable digital camera belongs here. From across the continent show coverage to detailed build documentation, "what is it" posts to Kiwi Kevs inventions, it's definitely done a lot for the HAMB. In general, though, it's made it so much easier for all of us to share ideas. Bryan
I was about to jump on the bandwagon of how the Internet has taken hot rodding to a whole new level in the past 10 years, up until I read this. Now I don't know if I like the internet anymore.
Someone had a good point above; advances in metallurgy (the science and technology of metals -Merriam Webster) was a huge factor IMO. Think about how history is taught and divided into era's: stone age, iron age, etc. The materials that we have available to work with make an enormous impact on the quality and durability of our cars drivetrain and the tools that make and repair them.
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