Night Fires Research Project

1. Night Fires Research Project What were cars like in the 1920s? What effect did cars have on American society?

2. Why I chose this topic In Chapter Four of Night Fires, Senator Crawford explains that his car “has an electric starter” and a crank “just in case something happens to the starter.” Before researching this topic I already knew that cars were different in the 1920s, but I did not know specific details. Through my research I am hoping to learn more about how cars in the 1920s worked and what they looked like.

3. 1920’s Automobile Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company made new models every year. Cars were made through mass production, which made them more affordable. Since cars were more affordable, new roads had to be made to accommodate them. Most of early cars were “open tourers” or convertibles. Later these cars were enclosed and given car heaters so the passengers would be more comfortable. Many innovations for the car were introduced in the 1920s, like electric powered cars, four wheel drive, front wheel drive, and hybrid fuel/electric cars.

4. The Roaring 1920s: The Effects of the Automobile on American Life Cars made it easier to go to travel around town and do simple things like going to the grocery store. Families that lived in the country could drive wherever they wanted and could look at the world around them. Those who lived in the city drove in the “hustle and bustle” of city life. Since driving made it easier to travel, people were able to become more independent. Owning a car in the 1920s was the cool thing to do.