A synoptic look at hot rodding and DIY mechanic culture compared to contemporary software / internet hacking. Delivered at Stanford University 2012.10.27 by Reilly Brennan.
20. The FordOwner, Vol 4 Oct 1915
Early platform
norms:
sharing, learning
“Motorists and
manufacturers
practically the same
group of people” -
Franz
20
21. Ford Model A sport coupe, 1928
1920 - 1930: Platform Heating Up
21
22. 1919: GMAC (time)
1923: Peak Model T production
1927: Ford Model A released
1927: Inflection point replacement > new
1929: Crash
1932: Ford flathead V8
22
26. Lifting Jack US Patent 1,927,326
1920s: Platform Supports New Ideas
26
27. Henry Ford w/ V8, 1932
Inflection Point: Ford Flathead V8
27
28. Henry Ford w/ V8, 1932
Democratization of Power
Simple, innovative
Post-Depression Racing Boom
Ubiquitous, Dominant
Drives Competition
*Apple II moment*
28
40. Further reading
“Tinkering,” Kathleen Franz (U. Penn Press, 2005)
“The Hot Rod Culture,” Gene Balsley, American Quarterly, Winter 1950
“The Drag Racing Rage,” LIFE, April 29, 1957
“Artistic Secrets of the Kodak,” Joseph August Lux, 1908
“Three Stages of American Automobile Conscioussness,” James Flink,
American Quarterly, Oct. 1972
“How to Rebuild Your Chevy Small Block,” David Vizard, HP Trade, 1991
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41. Notes and credits
1. Photo via LIFE via Google Books http://goo.gl/nh1RG
2. Photo via Bastia http://goo.gl/Ucmy9
3. Photo via JDLASICA http://goo.gl/pexsu
5. Photo via LIFE via Google Books http://goo.gl/nh1RG
6. Photo via Lartigue http://goo.gl/dFi3N
7. Animation via lindolfi via LFP http://goo.gl/hkyR2
8. Photo via lindolfi via LFP http://goo.gl/hkyR2
9. Photo via Metropolitan Museum of Art http://goo.gl/BKOd4
10. Photo via BNF http://goo.gl/j4qN4
13. Photo via The Henry Ford http://goo.gl/eyVXX
14. Photo via The Henry Ford http://goo.gl/hBu3o
15. Photo via Ford http://goo.gl/JFYCq
16. Data via MTFCA http://goo.gl/2QxIr
17. Photo via Smithsonian http://goo.gl/FBoh0
18. Photo via Ford http://goo.gl/jG1Pv
19. Photo via The Henry Ford http://goo.gl/RGmUU
20. Photo via FordOwner via Google Books http://goo.gl/rTaup
21. Photo via Ford http://goo.gl/wVxcx
23. Photo via Google Patent http://goo.gl/rk3OV
24. Photo via NAMH, PBS http://goo.gl/vr7JF
25. Photo via Google Patent http://goo.gl/42y0l; GAL story in SI http://goo.gl/YxS8P
26. Photo via Google Patent http://goo.gl/eK7lw
27. Photo via Ford http://goo.gl/cCpgT
29. Photo via HOTROD http://goo.gl/hw9cU
30. Photo via HOTROD http://goo.gl/LRE2r
31. Photo via GM Media http://goo.gl/5bQFc
33. Photo via arepb http://goo.gl/2sxI9
34. Photo via LIFE via Google Books http://goo.gl/nh1RG
35. Photo via LIFE via Google Books http://goo.gl/nh1RG
36. Photo via GM http://goo.gl/hf80G; Photo via Kustomrama http://goo.gl/cXqV7
37. Photo via USC library http://goo.gl/0mmsV
38. Photos via USC library http://goo.gl/L1Uu2
Thank you to Walter P. Brennan for assistance in assembling the above.
41
42. About
Revs Program at Stanford
http://revs.stanford.edu
@stanfordrevs
More
http://www.reillybrennan.com
@reillybrennan
42
Editor's Notes
\n
\n
\n
\n
Platform alone doesn’t produce innovation\nDistortions, see what other people can’t see\n
So different!\nTwo planes\nMoving into the machine age\nWedding ring\nAmazing clarity\nHow? Focal plane shutter\n
\n
\n
Guyot in Delage? \n\n1962, MOMA\n\n
Rene Croquet in Th Schneider\nJune 17, 1913\n
\n
\n
\n
Two cars\nSupport vehicle\n
\n
1913 assembly line\nPeak 1923\n\n
\n
\n
\n
Still unstable platform\n“Tinkering” by Kathleen Franz\n20 year beta test\n
Getting stable, supporting real entrepreneurs\n
\n
Earl Tupper\n“This invention relates to a removable top to be mounted over the rumble seat opening of automobiles. The top, when in position, provides with the back of the seat a complete enclosure for occupants of the rumble seat…for weather conditions. Furthermore the top is built in a collapsible frame that, when folded, maybe stored in the rumble seat.”\n
Melting cream running down side of cone into gutter\nGutter to catch melted cream running down side of cone\nCream runs back into cone through drain from gutter\n
George Albert Lyon\n5th most prolific inventor, behind Thomas Edison\nWheels, wheel covers\nBimini\n