This is the story of how we moved, from the rattle of the crank-start to the silent hum of the electric motor. 1910s: The Great Transition
Progress paused for the war effort as factories churned out tanks instead of sedans. Civilian driving was defined by gas rationing and "Victory Speed Limits" of 35 mph. Post-war, however, the floodgates opened. The transitioned from the battlefield to the driveway, signaling a new era of rugged, utility-focused driving. 1950s: The Golden Age of the Highway
This was the decade of the . President Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act in 1956, creating the massive artery system we use today. Cars grew fins, burned leaded gas, and became symbols of status. The "Drive-In" culture—movies, burgers, and banks—meant you never had to leave your seat. 1960s: Muscle and Safety 100 years Evolution of Traffic 1910s - 2010s
The 60s brought a split in identity: the raw power of versus a growing concern for life and limb. In 1968, the federal government finally mandated seat belts. Traffic was now a heavy, high-speed reality, prompting the first serious look at how to survive a crash. 1970s: The Reality Check
The oil crisis of 1973 changed traffic forever. The era of the "land yacht" died, replaced by compact, fuel-efficient imports. The national speed limit was dropped to 55 mph to save fuel. For the first time, drivers realized that the road wasn't an infinite resource. 1980s: The Digital Dashboard This is the story of how we moved,
Despite the Depression, car design flourished. This was the era of —teardrop shapes and chrome. Parking meters were born in Oklahoma City (1935) to handle the congestion. As the "Sunday Drive" became a cultural staple, the first multi-lane parkways began to emerge, separating cars from the slow-moving past. 1940s: War and White Walls
Electronics moved under the hood. Fuel injection replaced the carburetor, making cars more reliable and efficient. Inside, "Check Engine" lights and digital displays became common. Traffic management went high-tech, too, with synchronized light systems designed to reduce the "stop-and-go" frustration of the commute. 1990s: The Rise of the SUV Post-war, however, the floodgates opened
Traffic became an organized dance. The first three-color traffic lights appeared, and the concept of "jaywalking" was invented to keep people off the new domain of the car. Paved roads began to snake across the countryside, and the gas station became a permanent fixture of the American landscape. 1930s: Streamlining Through the Dust