When Did the First Automatic Transmission Car Come Out?

The Early Days of Automatic Transmissions

The first attempts to develop an automatic transmission can be traced back to the late 19th century. In 1895, Alexander Winton patented a “friction transmission” that used a cone-shaped pulley to change gears. However, this transmission was not very reliable and was never put into production.

In 1903, Henry Ford patented a “planetary transmission” that used a set of gears to change gears. This transmission was more reliable than Winton’s transmission, but it was still not very efficient.

The First Successful Automatic Transmission

The first successful automatic transmission was developed by General Motors in 1939. This transmission was called the “Hydra-Matic” and it used a set of hydraulic clutches and bands to change gears. The Hydra-Matic was a very reliable and efficient transmission, and it quickly became the standard for automatic transmissions in the United States.

The Development of Automatic Transmissions after 1939

After 1939, automatic transmissions continued to develop rapidly. In 1948, Chrysler introduced the first “torque converter” automatic transmission. This transmission used a fluid coupling to connect the engine to the transmission. The torque converter allowed the engine to run at a lower RPM, which improved fuel economy and reduced noise.

In the 1950s, General Motors introduced the first “electronic” automatic transmission. This transmission used a computer to control the shifting process. Electronic automatic transmissions were more reliable and efficient than previous transmissions, and they quickly became the standard for automatic transmissions in the United States.

Automatic Transmissions Today

Today, automatic transmissions are the most common type of transmission in use in the United States. Automatic transmissions are convenient and easy to use, and they offer a number of advantages over manual transmissions, including:

• Improved fuel economy
• Reduced noise
• Increased reliability
• Easier to drive

Conclusion

The first automatic transmission car came out in 1939. Since then, automatic transmissions have continued to develop and improve, and they are now the most common type of transmission in use in the United States.