Hi folks -- Despite what some people think, historical work evolves over time and that is certainly true of my efforts in researching and writing automotive history. So given the fact that I have some free time this summer and a sabbatical in the fall, I listed some of the topics that I want to deal with as I begin to add on to my The Automobile and American Life book that just came out. A major area of work that needs to be far more fully explored centers on the time period after 1960. That insight was clear to me as I began to try to explain to myself and my students why the American automobile industry collapsed towards the end of last year. So here is a list of things I want to review in the months ahead, with the held of my assistant Peter, who will be working with me until August 15.
1. Alternatives to the ICE – electric car post-1960, the gas turbine, and the Wankel. Government contracts to develop the electric vehicle, and its ultimate shelving by 1980 or so.
2. The electrification of the automobile—sound systems (esp. 8 track); CB craze of the late 1970s; radar detectors
3. More on robotics and the 1980s
4. Union agreements in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and the crisis of the auto industry after oil shock 2 to live up to those agreements given a new global marketplace. More on GM management practices after 1968 and also the Lordstown assembly plant.
5. Manufacturing in Mexico, post- NAFTA
6. Autos and music videos, post early 1980s and MTV
7. The most popular car songs post-1970
8. The most significant autos in film, post 1970 – French Connection I and II, for example.
9. Automobiles and Hip-Hop Music
10. Automobile advertising post-1970
11. The Aurora ESV and Catholic Social Justice
12. Statistical Analysis of Brands both domestic and foreign, post 1970 – data from Automobile Industries
13. Insert material from John DeLorean’s On a Clear Day You Can See General Motors
14. Need to develop far more on American Graffiti
15. Expand on the Mustang
16. Gone in Sixty Seconds – 1974 and 1998 versions
2. The electrification of the automobile—sound systems (esp. 8 track); CB craze of the late 1970s; radar detectors
3. More on robotics and the 1980s
4. Union agreements in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and the crisis of the auto industry after oil shock 2 to live up to those agreements given a new global marketplace. More on GM management practices after 1968 and also the Lordstown assembly plant.
5. Manufacturing in Mexico, post- NAFTA
6. Autos and music videos, post early 1980s and MTV
7. The most popular car songs post-1970
8. The most significant autos in film, post 1970 – French Connection I and II, for example.
9. Automobiles and Hip-Hop Music
10. Automobile advertising post-1970
11. The Aurora ESV and Catholic Social Justice
12. Statistical Analysis of Brands both domestic and foreign, post 1970 – data from Automobile Industries
13. Insert material from John DeLorean’s On a Clear Day You Can See General Motors
14. Need to develop far more on American Graffiti
15. Expand on the Mustang
16. Gone in Sixty Seconds – 1974 and 1998 versions
Excellent work buddy....
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