WHEELS: THE CAR AS A CULTURAL DRIVING FORCE
-PIERRE BURTON.

Pierre Burton, in this essay talks about the evolution of the Car, and how we as a society have evolved along with it over the years. He addresses the various changes in our private and social lives which the car brought about. The main thesis of this essay can be said to be the relation between the Cars and the society, how the evolution of the car over the years has impacted it and to what extent it has changed. The first car to be manufactured and sold was built by a German, Karl Benz, in 1888, called the Benz Patent Motorwagen.1
There was no looking back now. Within two decades, an American by the name of Henry Ford built one of the most successful cars of that era. This was the Ford Model-T. This was closely followed by Ford’s concept of mass production and the moving assembly line in 1914.2 This was now the beginning of the creation of a middle class. The people could now afford the luxury of owning a car of their own and being able to go places whenever they felt the urge to do so, at their own comfort and without much planning ahead. Cars could cover greater distance in a shorter amount of time, could go longer and harder than horses. There was an immediate surge in related industries, such as glass, tires, mechanics etc. This also led to rapid expansion of the cities and the creation of the suburbs. There was a noticeable impact on the country’s infrastructure. Motor vehicles and paved roads had narrowed the gap between rural and urban life. Farmers could ship easily and economically by truck and could drive to town at their convenience. In addition, institutions and services such as regional schools and hospitals became accessible by bus and car. There was a considerable increase in the number of emergency vehicles, which could easily reach any place within a short time period in case of an emergency. Massive construction of roads and highways and associated facilities, such as motels and gas stations, provided a surge in employment levels. The 60’s era saw the rise of the muscle cars. Massive fuel guzzling vehicles with huge motors, and the people bought these in large numbers, mainly as a means to show off their wealth or just for the sake of it. There was the general idea that bigger is better
Although having cars around is a big boon, there are a lot many underlying issues related to this wonderful invention, and the impact it has had on our social structure is far from all fine and dandy. Pierre Burton refers to a quote by Marshall McLuhan –
“It is the pedestrian who has now become the second class citizen.”
This is quite true as far as the modern society is concerned. One who does not have a car to get him from place to place is thought of as a liability, as a person who cannot be as productive as the one who does have a car.
Also, ever since the first cars rolled off the production line, a lot many people lost their jobs. The coach and carriage industry suffered a huge blow. Many blacksmiths, wheel rights, stable hands, saddle makers and those with other skills were left without work. And when the automation of the assembly line took full stride, still more people lost jobs. Sure the cars were now cheaper, but at what cost? Small towns and villages suffered huge losses of manpower, anyone who could afford a car preferred to go work in the city, be back home in time for dinner and spend time with family and friends.
These days, there is a huge concern about the availability of fossil fuels. Fuel prices are shooting up at a crazy rate, while the stock is steadily declining. Research is being done and technology invented to try and save the environment and one of the most beloved inventions of the modern world.
Over the years, the thing that has remained constant about cars is our attitude towards them in general. They have always been seen as a way of expressing one’s personality and freedom. It has been said that you can tell a lot about people from what kind of car they drive and how they treat their vehicle. Cars have always been, and will always remain a very important part of our society.
In his concluding statement, Pierre Burton says – “People want the freedom to move off at will without waiting for the horses to recover or a taxi to arrive, without standing in line for a street car or looking up train or air schedules. In that sense the car remains the genie in the bottle. Release it carelessly and it becomes your master. Guard it vigilantly, and it remains what it was always intended to be, a slave ready to serve you at your whim.” – Page 143.
There are still a lot of issues to be dealt with regarding this wonderful creation, but we can safely say that the car, as we know it, is going to be around for quite a long time.

References
1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Benz
2 http://www.biography.com/people/henry-ford-9298747