Well- this is kind of social studies...so anyway, I have to do a presentation on automobiles and I wanted to know some problems with automobiles in the 1920's?
I already have:
The automobiles scared horses because they were so noisy, people drove there cars instead of going to church, the automobiles didn’t move as fast. It was difficult to see in the rain/snow, and automobiles could catch fire easily, unlike today- there was no air conditioning.
I think autos were so common by the 1920s that horses were no longer frightened by them as much as in earlier times, when cars were very rare. And I'm not sure that people who were devoted church-goers stopped going to go joy-riding. They drove their cars to church. They didn't move as fast as what? Until windshield wipers became common, it was hard to see in rain or snow, yes.
I do think cars were not as reliable then as now; they broke down more. Tires were also not as tough as now and were less resistant to punctures.
Read some of these articles for other ideas:
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4VRHB_enUS648US649&q=motoring+in+the+1920s
My grandfather owned a furniture store in a small town, and sold most young couples their first furniture. However, when cars became popular, he lost most of his business because his potential customers drove to a larger town for their furniture.
Here are more problems.
http://www.1920-30.com/automobiles/
http://www.autolife.umd.umich.edu/Environment/E_Overview/E_Overview6.htm
That's a great start to your presentation on automobiles in the 1920s! Here are a few more problems you can include:
1. Lack of infrastructure: In the 1920s, many roads were poorly paved or made of dirt, which made driving difficult and uncomfortable. This lack of solid infrastructure also meant that long-distance travel was often challenging and time-consuming.
2. Limited availability of gas stations: As automobiles became more popular, the demand for gasoline grew rapidly. However, gas stations were not as common or easily accessible as they are today. This made refueling a car a hassle, especially on long trips.
3. Poor safety features: Compared to modern cars, automobiles in the 1920s had limited safety features. Seat belts were not commonly available, making passengers more vulnerable to injury during accidents. Additionally, cars lacked safety glass windows, which increased the risk of getting injured by shattered glass in a collision.
4. Reliability issues: Automobiles in the 1920s were still evolving, and mechanical problems were quite common. Frequent breakdowns and the need for constant maintenance were major concerns for car owners. This made owning and operating a car much more challenging and expensive.
To further enhance your presentation, you can also include some statistics or specific historical examples to support each problem you mention. You can gather these details from reliable books, academic articles, or online resources about the history of automobiles in the 1920s.