Automobile_in_America

The automobile managed to change American culture dramatically in a short period of time. It allowed many people to move away from the overcrowded, stuffy, and dirty urban areas into less populated places with more space and air. The suburbs were born and single-family houses sprang up to replace the apartment tenements of the cities. People were now able to commute to work and also visit friends and family who lived further away. The automobile was also a hit with the younger crowd, who saw it as a new way to have fun and achieve freedom. The huge demand for cars also boosted the American economy, as the automobile industry was born. The economy in the United States was roaring in the 1920’s. Workers became more efficient and very productive. Between 1922 and 1927, the economy grew by 7% a year (Nation of Nations, 6th Edition, Volume II, chapter 24, Pg. 694). Technology was growing and construction companies started building taller and taller towers. The success in all industries was affecting each other in positive ways in a chain. There was an increase in all industries and the industry that boomed the most was the automobile industry. Henry Ford organized mass production in his companies, which led to affordable cars. He also believed in making all the cars to look the same so cost would reduce the cost so buying cars would be affordable. Ford reduced the working hours and days of employees, employed African American people, and gave them respectful positions in his company. He had his employees educated on how to speak and dress properly. Many owned cars and this opened more business for real estate, restaurants, motels etc. (Nation of Nations, 6th Edition, Volume II, chapter 24, Pg. 694-695). From Ford's ideas, the car was transformed from a luxury item into a necessity, and this is what made him more successful than any other competitor during that time.