Thu Jan 30 23:52:18 EST 1997
EHS Abstract Submission
(c) 1997 EH.Net
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Name: James Foreman-Peck
Email: james.foreman-peck at social-studies.oxford.ac.uk
Institution: St.Antony's College, Oxford
Co-author: None
Title: 'Technological Lock-In' and the Power Source
for the Motor Car
Internet Address
of abstracted work:
http://www.nuff.ox.ac.uk/Economics/History/cars.ps and (zipped)
http://www.nuff.ox.ac.uk/Economics/History/cars_ps.zip
By mail:
St Antony's College
Oxford
OX2 6JF
England
Language: English
Abstract:
As the nineteenth century ended, three principal types of
engine competed to power the early motor car. Had some minor
condition been different around the beginning of the twentieth
century, perhaps today's road vehicles would not be powered
overwhelmingly by internal combustion engines. That at least is
an implication of the "lock-in" hypothesis. However, the choice
of product technology depended not on chance but at first on
differential relative endowments of natural resources and
capital. Abundant oil deposits and water encouraged the American
development of lower first-cost steam engines, which used more
fuel and less capital. Electricity also was cheaper in the United
States than in Europe, outside Germany. Since European endowments
were not as auspicious for steamers or electrics at the turn of
the century, European entrepreneurs focused on the internal
combustion engine. Judged by the rapid development during
1895-1900, they chose the most progressive technological
trajectory. By 1904, US motor firms were adopting European
product technology and abandoning steam. By the end of the First
World War they had also given up electricity.
Bibliography: University of Oxford Discussion Papers in
Economic and Social History, No. 7 (May 1996).
Subject: M
Geographical Area: 0
Country/Region: World
Time Period: 8