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- The Driver's Manual, 1953 - While there are common laws and general good practices that guide drivers across the country, there are also specific rules and regulations that vary by state. State motor vehicle departments publish guidebooks to familiarize new drivers with local laws. Student drivers are encouraged to study these books before taking their driver license tests.
- 1953
- Collections - Artifact
The Driver's Manual, 1953
While there are common laws and general good practices that guide drivers across the country, there are also specific rules and regulations that vary by state. State motor vehicle departments publish guidebooks to familiarize new drivers with local laws. Student drivers are encouraged to study these books before taking their driver license tests.
- 1923 Pennsylvania Driver's License - As more people purchased cars, drove, and had accidents, governments began regulating the operation of the automobile. By the end of the 1920s, most local governments required owners to register their cars and possess a driver's licenses. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania issued this driver's license in 1923.
- 1923-1924
- Collections - Artifact
1923 Pennsylvania Driver's License
As more people purchased cars, drove, and had accidents, governments began regulating the operation of the automobile. By the end of the 1920s, most local governments required owners to register their cars and possess a driver's licenses. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania issued this driver's license in 1923.
- View from Race Driver's Perspective, 1933 - Bill Mitchell joined General Motors' Art and Colour Section in 1935 and served as GM's head of design from 1958 to 1977. His many successes included the 1938 Cadillac Sixty Special, the 1963 Buick Riviera, and the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray. Two years before joining GM, Mitchell created this dramatic rendering of a racing driver's view behind the wheel.
- 1933
- Collections - Artifact
View from Race Driver's Perspective, 1933
Bill Mitchell joined General Motors' Art and Colour Section in 1935 and served as GM's head of design from 1958 to 1977. His many successes included the 1938 Cadillac Sixty Special, the 1963 Buick Riviera, and the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray. Two years before joining GM, Mitchell created this dramatic rendering of a racing driver's view behind the wheel.
- Michigan Driver's License Issued to Henry Ford, 1921 - Starting in 1919, everyone in Michigan needed a license to operate a motor vehicle -- even automotive industry pioneers like Henry Ford. The license's basic format hasn't changed that much. Place of residence, age, height, sex, and eye color are still indicated on Michigan driver licenses today.
- August 09, 1921
- Collections - Artifact
Michigan Driver's License Issued to Henry Ford, 1921
Starting in 1919, everyone in Michigan needed a license to operate a motor vehicle -- even automotive industry pioneers like Henry Ford. The license's basic format hasn't changed that much. Place of residence, age, height, sex, and eye color are still indicated on Michigan driver licenses today.
- Luncheon for the Ford Good Drivers League State Champion Drivers, 1940 - Ford Motor Company created the Good Drivers League in 1940. The League promoted safe driving habits among high school students. More than 60,000 boys competed for university scholarships during the program's first year. The League invited the 48 state champions to compete in the national finals held at the 1940 New York World's Fair. There, city officials held a luncheon to welcome the boys.
- 1940
- Collections - Artifact
Luncheon for the Ford Good Drivers League State Champion Drivers, 1940
Ford Motor Company created the Good Drivers League in 1940. The League promoted safe driving habits among high school students. More than 60,000 boys competed for university scholarships during the program's first year. The League invited the 48 state champions to compete in the national finals held at the 1940 New York World's Fair. There, city officials held a luncheon to welcome the boys.
- Young Man Taking Driver's Test, Ford Good Drivers League, Ford Exposition, New York World's Fair, 1940 - Ford Motor Company created the Good Drivers League in 1940. Headed by Edsel Ford, the League promoted safe driving habits among high school students. More than 60,000 boys competed for 48 university scholarships - ranging from $100 to $5,000 - during the program's first year. Top participants met at the 1940 New York World's Fair for final testing.
- August 29, 1940
- Collections - Artifact
Young Man Taking Driver's Test, Ford Good Drivers League, Ford Exposition, New York World's Fair, 1940
Ford Motor Company created the Good Drivers League in 1940. Headed by Edsel Ford, the League promoted safe driving habits among high school students. More than 60,000 boys competed for 48 university scholarships - ranging from $100 to $5,000 - during the program's first year. Top participants met at the 1940 New York World's Fair for final testing.
- Driver's Guide for the Chrysler Corporation Turbine Car, 1963 - This operator's manual is for one of the 50 gas turbine powered cars Chrysler lent to selected drivers in 1963. The company wanted real-world feedback from potential customers. Users loved the low maintenance and lack of vibration but complained about sluggish acceleration and poor fuel economy. Rising gasoline prices ultimately killed the turbine dream.
- 1963
- Collections - Artifact
Driver's Guide for the Chrysler Corporation Turbine Car, 1963
This operator's manual is for one of the 50 gas turbine powered cars Chrysler lent to selected drivers in 1963. The company wanted real-world feedback from potential customers. Users loved the low maintenance and lack of vibration but complained about sluggish acceleration and poor fuel economy. Rising gasoline prices ultimately killed the turbine dream.
- State Police and Picketers Inspecting Driver's Pass, April 1941 -
- April 04, 1941
- Collections - Artifact
State Police and Picketers Inspecting Driver's Pass, April 1941
- Rosa Parks Bus before Restoration, Interior, Driver's Area, March 2002 - This bus, the site of Rosa Parks's stand against segregation laws, sat as a rusted storage shed before The Henry Ford acquired it and began a full restoration. Parks's act of defiance on December 1, 1955, sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which helped to ignite the Civil Rights Movement. Today, the restored bus survives as a reminder of her courageous activism.
- March 01, 2002
- Collections - Artifact
Rosa Parks Bus before Restoration, Interior, Driver's Area, March 2002
This bus, the site of Rosa Parks's stand against segregation laws, sat as a rusted storage shed before The Henry Ford acquired it and began a full restoration. Parks's act of defiance on December 1, 1955, sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which helped to ignite the Civil Rights Movement. Today, the restored bus survives as a reminder of her courageous activism.
- Automobile, Wrecked on Driver's Side, Long Island, New York, 1935 - Automobiles are fast, powerful, and potentially dangerous. Accidents like the wreck pictured here became more commonplace as automotive speeds and the number of drivers on American roads rapidly increased in the 20th century. Eventually, manufacturers, governments, and drivers themselves were compelled to improve automotive safety.
- 1935
- Collections - Artifact
Automobile, Wrecked on Driver's Side, Long Island, New York, 1935
Automobiles are fast, powerful, and potentially dangerous. Accidents like the wreck pictured here became more commonplace as automotive speeds and the number of drivers on American roads rapidly increased in the 20th century. Eventually, manufacturers, governments, and drivers themselves were compelled to improve automotive safety.