What Was the First Car to Have Automatic Transmission?
The first car to have automatic transmission was the 1939 Oldsmobile Series 60 Special.
Background
Before the development of automatic transmissions, cars were equipped with manual transmissions, which required drivers to shift gears manually using a clutch and gear lever. This could be a complex and time-consuming process, especially in stop-and-go traffic.
In the early 20th century, several inventors began experimenting with automatic transmission systems. One of the first was Alfred Horner Munro, who patented an automatic transmission in 1903. However, Munro’s transmission was never put into production.
The Oldsmobile Hydra-Matic
In 1937, General Motors (GM) engineer Earl A. Thompson began working on an automatic transmission for GM’s Oldsmobile division. Thompson’s design used a fluid coupling, which was a type of hydraulic torque converter, to transmit power from the engine to the transmission. The fluid coupling allowed the car to start smoothly without stalling, even on hills.
Thompson’s transmission also featured a planetary gearset, which allowed the car to shift gears automatically. The planetary gearset consisted of a sun gear, a ring gear, and a planetary gear carrier. The sun gear was connected to the engine, the ring gear was connected to the driveshaft, and the planetary gear carrier was connected to the transmission output shaft.
To shift gears, the transmission used a series of clutches and brakes to engage and disengage the different gears in the planetary gearset. The clutches and brakes were controlled by a hydraulic governor, which sensed the car’s speed and load and determined the appropriate gear ratio.
The Oldsmobile Hydra-Matic transmission was first introduced as an option on the 1939 Oldsmobile Series 60 Special. The transmission was a success, and it quickly became popular with consumers. By 1941, over 90% of Oldsmobiles were equipped with the Hydra-Matic transmission.
Legacy
The Oldsmobile Hydra-Matic transmission was a revolutionary invention that transformed the automotive industry. It made driving easier and more convenient, and it helped to make cars more popular with consumers.
Automatic transmissions are now standard equipment on most cars and trucks. They have made driving safer and more enjoyable, and they have helped to make cars more accessible to people with disabilities.
Other Early Automatic Transmissions
While the Oldsmobile Hydra-Matic was the first commercially successful automatic transmission, it was not the only early automatic transmission. Other early automatic transmissions include:
- The Reo Self-Shifting Transmission (1932)
- The Studebaker Automatic Gearshift (1933)
- The Chrysler Fluid Drive (1935)
These early automatic transmissions were not as sophisticated as the Oldsmobile Hydra-Matic, and they were not as popular with consumers. However, they paved the way for the development of more advanced automatic transmissions.
Conclusion
The Oldsmobile Hydra-Matic transmission was the first commercially successful automatic transmission. It made driving easier and more convenient, and it helped to make cars more popular with consumers. Automatic transmissions are now standard equipment on most cars and trucks, and they have made a significant contribution to the safety and convenience of modern transportation.
