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Research
Eboh Emmanuel
The success story of the automobile started in 1885 when Karl Benz, a German mechanic, successfully tested Mercedez Benz, the first internal combustion automobile. Then, the car was a little different from a wheel chair. Nonetheless, the successful testing of the car was an epoch-making event for it radically revolutionalised transportation. It was not easy for Karl. Like all who tread the unbeaten track, he was derided by his friends. However, when the dream finally became a reality, the table was turned. Karl Benz became a historical figure. Two years later, in 1887, Daimler made his own automobile. Stanley Steamer followed suit in 1897.Opel was manufactured in 1898, Ford in 1908, Rolls Royce in 1922, Chrysler and Citroen in 1934; Volkswagen in 1949 and Cadillac 1958.
There are two ways of interpreting the invention of the automobile viz: the superman interpretation and the interpretation of the invention as the inevitable consequence of striving towards scientific progress. The first interpretation would see Karl Benz as a genius who single-handedly received the idea of the motor car and ingeniously fangled it out. The second theory on the other hand would see Karl Benz as a person who utilized the wealth of knowledge accumulated by various individuals at various points in history to produce something new. This interpretation is more tenable.
Though it was Karl Benz who finally made the first successful car, the evolution of the automobile can be traced far beyond him in history. In fact, it will not be out of place to begin the story of the automobile with the first recorded technology genius – the much famed Archimenedes. He it was who first put the principles of science to practical use. Of him is also said that he made use of the principles of Mathematics to manufacture missiles which he used in the defense of his city against Roman invasion. Henceforth, science was put in the service of art.
This combination of science and art is what is known as technology today.
The industrial revolution which gave birth to the automobile actually took off with the invention of the steam engine by James Watt in 1760. Prior to that, coal, which was the principal source of power, ad to be mined manually and water had to be manually scooped from the mine. However, the invention of the steam engine changed all that. The steam engine was employed later to do these jobs. Though James Watt was principally preoccupied with improving coal mining when he invented the steam engine, it took no time for other inventive people to put it to uses never imagined by Watt himself. First among these ingenious men was Richard Treithick. In 1801, he adapted the steam engine and mounted on a coach; thereby launching the first steam mobile. Oliver Evans successfully repeated the same feat in 1805.
As scientists discovered that a lot of energy is released by explosive gases, they sought to channel this energy to constructive purposes. Thus, inventors started tinkering with the idea of an internal combustion engine. Their efforts paid off in 1860 when Etienne Lenoir successfully built the first internal combustion engine. It was a two-stroke engine. Otto, a German trade cum tinkerer later developed the two-stroke engine further and succeeded in manufacturing the four-stroke engine which later supplanted the Frenchman’s (Lenoir) two stroke sorties.
But it was rather unfortunate that Otto did not see any use for his new powerful machine beyond the mills. So it was, until 1882 when Karl Benz saw what Otto could not see, and made the first internal combustion automobile that eventually became the prototype of all automobile.
In the light of these facts, it must be said that while we must praise the genius of Karl Benz in making the automobile, it would be naïve to dub him the inventor of the automobile. But what actually happens in the engine of an automobile?
The basic activity of the automobile engine is converting linear motion into rotatory motion. The linear motion is produced by the vertical movement of the pistons in the cylinders. This linear motion produced in the cylinder are converted into rotary motion by using a specially designed rod known as the connecting rod to join the piston to a zigzag-shaped horizontally-lying iron known as the crank shaft. Thus, as the piston move up and down, the crank shaft is turned round.
The sole function of the fuel is to explode and expand in the piston. This expansion induced by heat is the sole energy that drives the automobile. The expanded gas occupies the cylinder, forcing the piston down in the process. This movement is then converted and transmitted onwards to the axle.
The present sophistication of the automobile engine is the result of the never-ending effort of inventors and innovators to increase the speed and efficiency of the automobile. Sometimes what we will now consider is minor problem or non-issue was a matter of life and death in the earlier days of the automobile. Many, looking backwards today into the infant days of the automobile, will find it difficult to understand why Otto, who invented the four-stroke combustion engine, couldn’t invent such a simple instrument as the car fuel pump. It is hard still to imagine that he committed suicide in despair for not being able to make the instrument.
No matter how useful an invention might be - if it is not accepted by the people, its impact remains rather minimal. The automobile, for all its potentials, was no more than the ‘rich man’s try’ until Henry Ford appeared on the scene. He built the first ever car assembly which produced many cars and made them available. They could only be acquired by those who could afford them. Thus, the generality of the people were still far from experiencing the impact of the newly-invented means of transportation. It was not until buses emerged on the scene that the automobile became a social phenomenon. Though only a few could own an automobile, but now everybody can afford a ride – thanks to the omnibus (bus). Indeed, it is for everyone: social inequality has always made it difficult for everyone to enjoy the good things of life. The bus was the answer to this so long as road transportation is concerned.
The inspiration that gave birth to modern autobus can be traced to the innovationist, Paschal Blaise. Wishing to enable everybody enjoy the horse-drawn carriage, he in, 1662, designed a horse-drawn carriage that was capable of carrying many people and called it omnibus – meaning for everyone. In the early 1900’s, there were only two kinds of motor vehicles, the car and the truck. You got a ride on the former if you were rich enough and on the latter if you were a lumberer. People did try trobling on truck backs but it wasn’t pleasant enough. Thanks to Frank and William Fageol, the first modern bus was built in 1920. With their success, other trucks manufacturers took to manufacturing buses. But Frank and William Fageol had forerunners. The story of the autobus cannot be complete without the mention of Richard Trevithick. This human prodigy, as far back as 1801, mounted the steam engine on a coachee and was using it to ply London and its environs. His speed was so high in comparison to those of horse- drawn coaches that the British Government banned it in 1840, thus putting the bus dream to rest.
However, today we are no longer lacking the speed nor are we lacking the comfort. ABC provides both. Unlike what obtained in the early days in Nigeria, at ABC you encounter a company that is exclusively devoted to your welfare and comfort. You are free from touts and ill-mannered drivers. ABC deserves credit for putting civility and sanity into luxury bus operation. Here, you are certain of the sobriety of your driver. You are treated with the respect you deserve and above all, your safety and not the fare is given priority. You are free from all the discomforts and dangers of overload and the infamous ‘attachment’. Ride on in class and style!
Kumasi, Ghana.
Why Choose ABC
Transport?
ABC Transport provides friendly and reliable services to the Eastern, Western, and Northern parts of Nigeria, as well as to the West African sub-region, from Lagos (Nigeria) to Accra (Ghana) through Benin Republic, and Togo.
