No Driving Gloves

First American Car Race Instead of celebrating what happened on this date, today we are actually celebrating what happened on this day, America's first car race on a blizzard-stricken Thanksgiving Day in 1895. The concept for the inaugural American car race was conceived by H.H. Kohlsaat, publisher of the Chicago Times Herald, inspired by a recent race in France. Kolstadt recognized the potential...

The Father of Automotive Design: Celebrating Harley Earl's Legacy on His Birthday Today, we celebrate the birthday of a pioneer whose influence has left an indelible mark on the automotive industry – Harley Earl. Born on November 22, 1893, in Los Angeles, California, Earl became a trailblazer in the industry, earning the title of the "Father of Automotive Design" for his revolutionary contribution...

No "it happened today" today. Long Episode Tuesday! We are giving you our annual Christmas Gift idea list. This time before Black Friday as opposed to a week before Christmas! www.nodrivinggloves.com John's Ideas Philips GoPure GP5212 High Performance HEPA Air Purifier for Car ITEQ Brake Fluid Liquid Tester Pen STUPID Car Tray - Classic Car Tray Bundle Febreze Car Air Freshener Vent Clip 2 Pack Ca...

Origins of the Yellow Light The origin of the yellow caution light is somewhat ambiguous. A narrative exists crediting William Potts, a Detroit policeman, with integrating a yellow light into traffic signals on November 20th, 1920, to indicate an impending change. However, it is also on this date in 1923 that Garrett Morgan's patent emerges, adding to the historical puzzle. Policeman William Potts...

"Farewell to Edsel: A Mosaic of Memories as the Curtain Falls" In the quiet corridors of automotive history, a chapter comes to a close as we bid a poignant farewell to Edsel, the once-bold venture that dared to dream in hues of innovation and elegance. Like a vibrant mural fading with time, the final strokes of Edsel's narrative evoke a spectrum of emotions, from nostalgia to a tinge of melanchol...

DeSoto's Legacy: Triumph and Demise November 18 1960 As the sun dipped low, casting its final rays upon the DeSoto Automobile Company, the twilight of an era approached, leaving in its wake a legacy that once roared with the vibrant promise of American automotive ingenuity. The tale of DeSoto's demise is one of triumph and tribulation, of a shifting landscape within the industry. Chrysler thrust D...

Birth of Scuderia Ferrari November 16 In the heart of Italy, on this day, November 16th, 1929, the racing legacy of Scuderia Ferrari was born. A tapestry of roaring engines and burning passion unfurled, weaving one of the most storied and triumphant chapters in motorsports history. The roots of Scuderia Ferrari burrow deep into the zeal and vision of its founder, Enzo Ferrari. Born in 1898, Enzo's...

Riker's Electric Torpedo: A Racing Legacy In 1901, the Riker Torpedo Race Car bolted onto the scene, a testament to the genius of its creator, Andrew Riker. An early believer in electric vehicles, Riker designed this battery-powered speed demon that would go on to shatter world records. On November 16, 1901, at Coney Island, New York, the Torpedo Racer zipped down a one-mile dirt track, reaching a...

Revolutionary EV1: Igniting Change November 15 As the late 1990s saw a surge in concerns over environmental sustainability and the impact of traditional automobiles, General Motors boldly embarked on a revolutionary journey with the introduction of the EV1—an electric vehicle marking a significant milestone in automotive history. Launched November 14, 1996, the EV1 was far more than just a car; it...

Ram Dakota- Haven't we heard this line before? Folding Honda Electric "Scooter" Do you want one? Another Delorean. This time with the GTO suffix Wolf of Wall Street Wrecked Lambo What is worth and what is worth to you? ANd is it a car or art at this point? www.nodrivingloves.com #cars #car #collectorcars #oldcars #cartalk #electriccars #ev #hotrod #carhistory #automotivehistory #automobile #thisda...

Dodge Brothers: Automotive Pioneers Nov 14, 1914 Born in Niles, Michigan, John and Horace Dodge blossomed into craftsmen renowned for their dedication to quality and excellence in the automotive realm. In the early 1900s, the name Dodge seeped into American households like a sweet perfume. Born in Niles, Michigan, John and Horace Dodge were pioneers, setting America's wheels in motion during the d...

Historic Jeep Prototype November 13 As global war loomed in 1940, the Army sought a swift reconnaissance vehicle to navigate rugged terrain and deliver firepower to the front lines. Bantam, a small and agile company experienced in building light four-cylinder cars, appeared ideal for the task. On September 23, 1940, they delivered the world's first Jeep prototype – the Bantam reconnaissance car. H...

Daimler-Chrysler: Merger Lessons On November 12, 1998, shareholders of automotive world voting in favor surprising union: Germany's Daimler-Benz AG and America's Chrysler Corporation merged, promising to reshape the car market's landscape. The Daimler-Chrysler alliance blended German engineering finesse with American innovation and mass appeal. Yet, this perfect union on paper became a complex, ch...

General Lee's Iconic First Jump On November 11th, 1978, during the filming of One-Armed Bandits, a stuntman launched the iconic General Lee off a makeshift dirt ramp and over a police car on the Georgia set of The Dukes of Hazzard, TV history was made. This 16-foot-high and 82-foot-long leap resulted in a totaled car but secured its place in every episode's opening credits. As countless stunts unf...

Birth of the First Motorcycle- Episode 281 In 1885, the Reitwagen, or "riding car," emerged as the first motorcycle, a creation of Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach. Despite earlier steam-powered two-wheelers like the Michoud-Péry and Roper of 1867-1869 and the 1884 Copeland, Daimler's invention earned him the title of "father of the motorcycle." The Reitwagen's claim to being the first motorcy...

Episode 280s McNamara's Impact on Ford In 1946, as Henry Ford II grappled with the chaos his grandfather had left behind, the company lost a staggering $85 million (about $1.4 Billion today) within eight months. Enter Robert S. McNamara, the brightest star among the Whiz Kids – a group of ten highly educated and ambitious men who had worked together in the U.S. Army's Air Force. Together, they bre...

The Polish Prince's Victory Lap On November 6, 1988, the air at Phoenix International Raceway crackled with excitement as Alan Kulwicki, the Polish Prince, tasted victory in his first NASCAR Winston Cup race. Adrenaline coursed through his veins like wildfire, fueling his daring decision to steer his car against the tide of the inaugural Checker 500. This bold act on that fateful autumn day breath...

The Hupp Motor Company, a serious carmaker with a whimsical name, emerged from the ambition of Robert Craig Hupp. Born in Grand Rapids and raised in Detroit, Hupp's journey began at Olds Motor Works and continued at Ford Motor Company, where he honed his skills on the Model K. Leaving Ford in 1907, Hupp set out to create a lightweight car tailored for American roads. With funds from J. Walter Drak...

The Survival of Swap Meets: We discuss the rumors surrounding the decline of automotive swap meets. While some argue that these events are dying, we uncover a different perspective. We shed light on successful management strategies, like the one employed by Carlisle, which have helped revive the interest and appeal of swap meets. It's a fascinating exploration of how these events have adapted to t...

The 1940 Tacoma Narrows Bridge, a once-majestic suspension bridge, stretched across Washington State's Puget Sound like a steel spider's web. It served as a vital link between Tacoma and the Kitsap Peninsula. However, on November 7, 1940, the bridge succumbed to a deadly dance with gravity, collapsing into the watery depths below. Dubbed "Galloping Gertie" by its builders, the bridge was known for...

1918 Newberry-Ford Senatorial Showdown Visit the website www.nodrivinggloves.com The 1918 Michigan senatorial race ignited national concern for regulating political campaign funds. Wealthy Republican industrialist Truman H. Newberry and Democratic automobile magnate Henry Ford clashed like titans. President Woodrow Wilson's favored candidate, Ford, ran in both the Republican and Democratic primari...

It Takes Work To Be Lucky Charlie Maxwell, a confidant and longtime employee of Harold Lemay, at a Lakewood Historical Society event, narrated tales of the man behind the Pierce County Refuse Company. From a single garbage truck in 1942, Lemay's empire swelled, becoming Washington's largest trash removal service and the 10th largest nationally. Yet, it was his fixation on vintage cars that brought...

First Grand Auto Show, 1900 Nov 3 On this day in 1900, the first modern automotive spectacle ignited Madison Square Garden in New York City. Though there had been other auto shows, it was the first colossal display, and the first endorsed by an automobile group, the Automobile Club of America. For a staggering $0.50 – roughly $18.50 today – guests marveled at over 66 exhibitors, presenting a mere...

Minivans: Revolutionizing Family Transportation Nov 2 This month, we're trying something new for No Driving Gloves. It's part of National Podcasting Month or NAPODPOMO. The challenge is to create a daily podcast episode for 30 days. We'll still release our regular episodes every Tuesday, along with daily episodes about Today in Automotive History. Give us your feedback and let us know what you thi...

Daily Automotive History Podcast This month, we're trying something new for No Driving Gloves. It's part of National Podcasting Month, or NAPODPOMO. The challenge is to create a daily podcast episode for 30 days. We'll still release our regular episodes every Tuesday, along with daily episodes about Today in Automotive History. Give us your feedback and let us know what you think. Depending on you...