Automotive History

By definition an automobile or car is a wheeled vehicle that carries its own motor and transports
passengers. The automobile as we know it was not invented in a single day by a single inventor. The
history of the automobile reflects an evolution that took place worldwide.
It is estimated that over 100,000 patents created the modern automobile. You can point to the
many firsts that occurred along the way to producing the modern car; and with that goal in mind, highlighted
below are articles, biographies, timelines, and photo galleries related to the history of the automobile and its
many inventors.
The automobile as we know it was not invented in a single day by a single inventor. The history of
the automobile reflects an evolution that took place worldwide. It is estimated that over 100,000 patents
created the modern automobile. However, we can point to the many firsts that occurred along the way. It
started with the first theoretical plans for a motor vehicle that had been drawn up by both Leonardo da
Vinci and Isaac Newton.
In 1769, the very first self-propelled road vehicle was a military tractor invented by French engineer
and mechanic, Nicolas Joseph Cugnot (1725 - 1804). Cugnot used a steam engine to power his vehicle,
built under his instructions at the Paris Arsenal by mechanic Brezin. It was used by the French Army to haul
artillery at a whopping speed of 2 1/2 mph on only three wheels. The vehicle had to stop every ten to fifteen
minutes to build up steam power. The steam engine and boiler were separate from the rest of the vehicle
and placed in the front (see engraving above). The following year (1770), Cugnot built a steam-powered
tricycle that carried four passengers.

In 1771, Cugnot drove one of his road vehicles into a stone wall, making Cugnot the first person to
get into a motor vehicle accident. This was the beginning of bad luck for the inventor. After one of Cugnot's
patrons died and the other was exiled, the money for Cugnot's road vehicle experiments ended.
Steam engines powered cars by burning fuel that heated water in a boiler, creating steam that
expanded and pushed pistons that turned the crankshaft, which then turned the wheels. During the early
history of self-propelled vehicles - both road and railroad vehicles were being developed with steam
engines. (Cugnot also designed two steam locomotives with engines that never worked well.) Steam
engines added so much weight to a vehicle that they proved a poor design for road vehicles; however,
steam engines were very successfully used in locomotives. Historians, who accept that early steam-
powered road vehicles were automobiles, feel that Nicolas Cugnot was the inventor of the first automobile.

Prepare Hand Tools

When doing any kind of work, tools are needed to have things done. When fixing furniture,
repairing home appliances, or doing simple repair, tools help you make work easy, with less effort but with
efficient result. Without the needed tools, much time is consumed and more effort is required to accomplish
your task.
In order for you to accomplish a task efficiently, you must possess basic knowledge on how to
identify and select tools that are usable, of good quality and free from faults. The task required calls for the
right kind of tools to prepare. Simple jobs usually need simple tools to use. Heavy jobs need the use of
heavy tools. Through constant practice, and simple observation, you become skillful in selecting the right
tool for the job.
In automotive application, it is important that the needed tools are not defective and must be
perfect for the job to finish on time. The use of faulty tools might result in injury and damage to you and the
parts you are working on.
Preparing hand tools to use is easy but requires a lot of practice. Depending on the level of work to
be done, whether it is basic level which involves inspection and checking, cleaning and simple fixing of
parts; the common level for replacing of basic parts such as air cleaner, fuel filter, hoses; and the core level
when performing major tasks such as tune-up, overhauling and underchassis work.
The extent of work will give you information to identify and select the size, shape and type of tools
needed to accomplish the task.
The following tools for the specific task have corresponding name of specific tools in performing the task.

TOOLS FOR A SPECIFIC

NAME OF SPECIF TOOLS
PROCEUDRE/TASK
Cleaning Tools Brushes (Fiber and Wire), Scraper and Wiping Cloth
Chisel, File, Hacksaw, Electric drills, Hole saw,
Cutting Tools
Machinist pliers, Side cutting pliers, Tin snip
Hammers - Ball peen, Brass/Plastic, Starting and
Driving Tools
Drift punch
Bending/Holding/Twisting/Crimping Pliers – Combination, Crimping and Splicer, Cutting,
Tools/Gadgets Long nose, Vise-grip, Bench vise
Wrenches - Allen, Box, Combination, Open, Socket,
Loosening and Tightening Tools Spark plug, Torque wrench Screwdrivers – Allen,
Flat, Offset, Phillips, Stubby,
Marking Tools Center punch, Scriber
Caliper, Metal tape measure, Steel rule, Torque
Measuring Tools
wrench
 Common Faults of Hand Tools
A hand tool is the best friend of every serviceman. With it, work becomes easy and efficient. But, if
tools are not given careful attention they will easily give up without maximizing its usefulness. If this
condition continues, it will result in a faulty condition. This faulty condition results from ineffective use which
eventually might create the risk of danger and accident.
Common faults of hand tools are usually blamed on manufacturer’s defect. However, it doesn‟t
mean that whenever hand tools become faulty or defective, the manufacturer always carries the
responsibility.
Metal fatigue is one of the usual causes of faulty hand tools specially those that are made from
steel. Like human body that sometimes needs rest, metal fatigue is developed from overuse of tools. It can
also result from too much imposition of force on tools which is less than its capacity to endure. It will render
the tools unserviceable.
Because of wrong habits or attitudes, human error also contributes to faulty hand tools. Wrong use
of tools for the job will create bad effect on the tools. A screwdriver which is intended for loosening and
tightening screws becomes defective and reduces its usefulness when used like cold chisel.
Natural tear and wear causes tools to widen or reduce its size. A slack is noticeable when a box
wrench for removing the bolt becomes loose when the internal sides of the wrench is bigger than the
external sides of the bolt’s head. If used in this condition, both the bolt and the wrench will develop fault.
Tools not kept, not maintained, and unused will become rusty. Tools with jaws become difficult to
operate. It will take time cleaning and removing the corrosion before it becomes functional.
To become more aware of the condition of hand tools, it is good to know some of its specific faults.

1. Cleaning tools.
Wire and fiber brush must be tightly fit and securely intact on its recess. Frayed brushes indicate
overuse. Bristles can easily be removed and may splatter. They can pose danger to the eyes and skin.
Likewise, dirty rags can create dust and affect the respiratory system.
2. Bending/ Cutting/ Holding/Twisting tools.
Overused, dulled teeth cutting edge of tools such as hacksaw, tin snip and cutter pliers will reduce
time and work performance. Loose hacksaw blade to frame must be repaired or replaced at once. Dulled
teeth and loose pivot lever of holding tools such as machinist and combination pliers lessen the grip and
reduces its holding power. As a consequence, it will result in slippage. Pliers‟ teeth and its cutting edge
must be reconditioned or must be replaced. Mushroom- headed cold chisel can cause danger when driven
with a hammer. The driving force of a hammer may change direction due to the mushroom-like contusion
on the head of the chisel. If this happens, body part is hammered rather than the object itself. Thus, injury is
certain.
3. Driving tools.
A swollen striking edge and loose hammer head handle can create a very devastating injury and
fatal blow when the head flies out of its handle and hits a delicate part of the body
4. Loosening and tightening tools.
A slacked wrench or screwdriver is a product of overused or wrong sized tool when forcefully used.
Incorrect position of tools or the person doing the job will create an unbalanced force. When force is
applied, the possibility of accident may happen. There is also a tendency of slippage when the surrounding
sides of the wrench don‟t fit squarely with the sides of the bolt or nut being removed or tightened.
Therefore, this kind of fault must be addressed right away and the wrench or screwdriver be replaced at
once.
5. Marking tools.
A bent and dulled tip of marking tool will not give accurate marking. A dulled tip creates blurred
lines; therefore, interpretation of lines and dimensions are not precise. This must be corrected at once.
Sharpen tools with the use of appropriate sharpening gadget.
6. .Measuring Tools.
A measuring tool must be always kept clean. Dirty, bent, and creased measuring tools like
measuring tape, steel rule, and calliper will give inaccurate reading if the gradation lines are not readable.

Safety Requirements of Hand Tools

Hand tools come in different sizes, shapes, weights, brands, and designs. These characteristics of
hand tools are very important because they give us technical data about their production. These technical
data will enable us to know the capacity of tools if subjected to the degree of use. The standard
requirements of tools for use and safety are very important on the part of the buyer as well as the user.
Without them, they have no bearing at all if not assured with safety features. Tools are engineered and
designed to numerous sequences of events when used within the normal working range. To use a tool
appropriately, know its safety requirements, to be guided accordingly when you purchase one.
Tools produced in the industry must pass the Work Equipment Law. In this law, procedures on the
extent, fitness, correctness, and usability of tools and equipment are provided in accordance with specified
task. This ensures safety standards before tools are released in the market.
The following are some of the information you need to know about the safety requirements of hand
tools:

1. Technical data.
This will give information about the manufacturer’s specifications of the tools produced. The size,
weight, production code number, and the brand are usually marked on the body of the item.
2. User’s manual.
It tells where, when and how the tools are to be used. It also gives information on the limitation of
tools if subjected to constant use. In this manual, users are given warning on the possible injury one may
get if used incorrectly. It also gives detailed information on how tools are maintained and stored. If tools
need to be assembled, the manual gives step-by-step instructions on how to do the task.
3. Physical requirements.
Physical requirements of tools have bearing on how they are manufactured. Their good quality
must be:
 a. Tensile strength. Tools must be light but durable so that excessive force in using them is not
necessary. In this manner, strain on hands and shoulders are reduced. A tool must be strong and reliable
to stand the stress of constant use. Tooth edge of hacksaw and chisel must be tempered and so with a
screw driver.
b. Powerful. Tools must not be heavy on the hand side rather than on the end portion of the driving
force, as in a hammer. They must be considerably long to give a powerful twisting force as in a wrench and
screw or a heavy blow when using hammer. This reduces muscular effort and efficiency of work is
achieved.
c. User- friendly. Tools must be easy and comfortable to use. They must be hand-fit and oval or
cylindrically shaped. A square-shaped handle creates discomfort on palms because of the edge area.
d. Safe Tools must have gripping surface on their handles to assure holding power and avoid slip
that may lead to injury. Stopper must also be on pointed and sharp-bladed/edged tools. Driving tools must
be provided with appropriate length of grip.
e. Functionally Accurate. Tools are especially made to measure like torque wrench. Calliper and
feeler gauge must be technically and functionally accurate. They must give correct reading of divisions and
sub-division of their fractional value or scale. Inaccurate reading gives wrong data or information and may
result in severe damage to parts
 Bicol University
College of Agriculture and Forestry
Guinobatan, Albay

September 1, 2021

Activity in Automotive

QUESTIONS:
1. Since the invention of the first Automotive vehicle, how important is it that we innovate the technology of the
past/present?
2. Do we really need to continue innovating our private and public means of transportation? Yes or no? Why?

Note: Make sure to read the hand out given to prepare you for the graded recitation for next meeting.

Prepared by:

Arnie S. Bagadiong, LPT

Subject Instructor
Introduction to Industrial Arts