Origin of Car Keys
August 21, 2010 3:20 PM Subscribe
What's the origin and history (first make/model, etc.) of auto ignition keys?
Popular Mechanics April 1949 article about the new line of Chrysler cars and their ignition keys. The article suggests the ignition keys are for the Plymouth and Dodge lines, not clear which models or other lines.
"Amon the innovations of primary interest to the driver is the combination ignition and starter switch which eliminates the starter button. The car starts by turning the ignition key slightly beyond the 'ignition on' position. When released, the key automatically returns to 'ignition on'. Aside from the convenience to the driver, this starter makes it impossible for children to move a car which has been left in gear by pushing the starter button."
posted by LobsterMitten at 3:53 PM on August 21, 2010
"Amon the innovations of primary interest to the driver is the combination ignition and starter switch which eliminates the starter button. The car starts by turning the ignition key slightly beyond the 'ignition on' position. When released, the key automatically returns to 'ignition on'. Aside from the convenience to the driver, this starter makes it impossible for children to move a car which has been left in gear by pushing the starter button."
posted by LobsterMitten at 3:53 PM on August 21, 2010
Later in that article, it makes clear the new ignition appeared on all Chryslers and DeSotos as well.
Here's a brief article about the invention of the self-starter, first used in a Cadillac in 1912 and patented in 1915, which slowly replaced the more physically difficult and dangerous hand crank start.. The self-starter used a starter button. It was invented by Charles Kettering, who had previously worked on the electrically powered cash register, which also operated by pushing a button. (From this article, it sounds like you had to turn a key, which enabled the button, then press the button? And the 1949 innovation was to combine these two functions?)
The Wikipedia article on ignition systems has an overview of the hand crank vs self-starting ignitions.
posted by LobsterMitten at 4:13 PM on August 21, 2010
Here's a brief article about the invention of the self-starter, first used in a Cadillac in 1912 and patented in 1915, which slowly replaced the more physically difficult and dangerous hand crank start.. The self-starter used a starter button. It was invented by Charles Kettering, who had previously worked on the electrically powered cash register, which also operated by pushing a button. (From this article, it sounds like you had to turn a key, which enabled the button, then press the button? And the 1949 innovation was to combine these two functions?)
The Wikipedia article on ignition systems has an overview of the hand crank vs self-starting ignitions.
posted by LobsterMitten at 4:13 PM on August 21, 2010
LobsterMitten writes "From this article, it sounds like you had to turn a key, which enabled the button, then press the button? And the 1949 innovation was to combine these two functions?"
Pretty well. There was some variation though with for example one company (Studebaker I think)who placed the starter button at the bottom of the travel of the clutch pedal. Keys to control the running of a car were common much earlier incorporating stuff like locking steering columns.
posted by Mitheral at 5:37 PM on August 21, 2010
Pretty well. There was some variation though with for example one company (Studebaker I think)who placed the starter button at the bottom of the travel of the clutch pedal. Keys to control the running of a car were common much earlier incorporating stuff like locking steering columns.
posted by Mitheral at 5:37 PM on August 21, 2010
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posted by LobsterMitten at 3:33 PM on August 21, 2010