Making the Everyday Use of Cars More Fun & Interesting

There is so much talk about cars, driving, safety and many other topics revolving around our commutes, travels and day to day driving. What about some interesting and less known facts about cars and driving?

1. 1. Where does the term dashboard really come from? The original term evolved from placing a wooden board in back of the horses in front of the carriage to prevent mud from splattering up from the horses’ feet and wheels.
   2. Did you know that holding the remote car key fob to your head doubles the range because a human skull acts as an amplifier? Sounds funny to me as well but it looks like others believe in this also… Try it!

Next time you can’t find your car, hold the remote key to your head. The human skull acts as an amplifier. #AutoFunFacts

— Toyota of Dallas (@ToyotaofDallas) August 28, 2014

1. 1. Cars are the most recycled product in the world. Approximately 95% of retired cars are recycled. About 27 million cars are recycled each year.
   2. An average car has 30K parts – most of them are recyclable.
   3. The longest duration of owning and driving one car is 82 years. The owner was a gentleman by the name of Allen Swift. His dad bought him a Piccidilly-P1 Roadster by Rolls Royce as a graduation gift in 1928 for $10,900 (worth $141,700 in 2010).
   4. There are 1 billion cars currently in use on planet earth.
   5. In 2013 65,140,268 cars were produced averaging 178,466 cars produced a day.
   6. There are more cars than people in the world (not necessarily in use). Most cars manufactured are not sold and are disposed of in various lots around the world. More cars are made than are sold.
   7. The “New car smell” which many of us love, is made up of a combination of various volatile compounds (possibly dangerous to inhale).
   8. Cruise control was invented in 1948 by Ralph Teetor. His idea came out of frustration from riding with his lawyer who kept slowing the car and speeding up during the drive.
   9. Irv Gordon drove his 1966 Volvo P1800 over a period of 47 years totaling in 3 million miles.
   10. It takes Ford’s Dearborn plant 6 hours to build an F-150 truck.
       Ford’s robots who install windshields are named Bumper & Blinker. Ford Plant Tour
   11. The first automobile accident ever, occurred in Ohio City, Ohio nearby Cleveland. In 1891 James William Lambert’s car hit a tree root causing the car to swerve out of control and crash into a hitching post. Injuries thankfully were minor.
   12. Electric cars have very little if no sound. Per the NHTSA this presents danger both to blind people and children. The natural engine sound approaching alerts them to a vehicle approach. Nissan is working a special beautiful sound reminiscent of the flying cars in “Blade Runner”. Other automakers are doing similar projects to create sound for their electric cars. Fascinating, no?
   13. Car Radio Banned? When the car radio was introduced, some states wanted to ban it since it can be a distraction while driving.
   14. Volkswagen, introduced in 1937 by Hitler as the People’s Car (originally named in German Volkswagenwerk), owns Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, SEAT, and Skoda.
       General Motors owns Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC.
       Toyota owns Lexus, Scion, Daihatsu, and Hino Motors.
   15. In 2013 free petrol AKA gasoline was given out in Sydney, Australia as part of a campaign promoting a gasoline called E10.

I find that these interesting car facts actually enhance my drive and are just fun to know. There is so much history to cars – and new laws, stories and other tidbits are developed all the time. If any of you have some interesting stories or tidbits please share them. I’d love to hear!