Today we're sending you a little wiser into the weekend, because we've gathered 10 more or less curious facts about cars for you. Show-off knowledge for drivers or just to have something clever on the subject of cars up their sleeves during the next small talk. We paid attention to a particularly colorful mix. We wish you good entertainment and if a question like this in “Who wants to be a millionaire” or another quiz makes you really rich, then think about us.
10 facts about cars - Henry Ford - inventor of the weekend?
The automotive culture and industry has a lot to thank Henry Ford. He finally introduced the assembly line work. In the meantime, this invention of automotive plants has become indispensable. But we also owe Henry Ford the first 40-hours week, because he also introduced the weekend for his employees. On Saturdays and Sundays the workers should be able to spend more time with their loved ones and thus also with the cars. Clever move, right?
10 facts about cars - Already knew? On Heligoland cars and bicycles are prohibited!
On the island of Mackinac, Michigan, 1898 automobiles have been banned since the beginning of the year and the locals still use the horse there. The island can be reached by ferry. On the island of Heligoland you go one step further and forbid next to the cars as well as the bikes! The reason? The North Sea island should not be corrupted by the traffic signs. The fine is record-breaking, because who violates § 50 and leads on the island of Heligoland a motor vehicle or riding a bicycle, acts contrary to regulations. The fine can be up to 2000 Euro.
10 facts about cars - Speed kills? You do not even have to be quick for that!
Bridget Driscoll, born in 1851, is believed to be the first person to be killed in a car accident. On August 17, 1896, she was hit by a Roger Benz in Hyde Park, London. Eyewitnesses spoke of a “reckless pace”, the driver (Arthur James Edsall) was driving at “insane” 6,4 km / h. Bridget Driscoll was knocked to the ground by the impact and suffered a serious head injury from which she succumbed a few minutes later.
10 facts about cars - Ouch! The first drivers called themselves Autler!
There are many synonyms for cars, but even for those who sit behind the wheel, there are many terms in the German language. The first drivers called themselves Autler. Other synonyms for motorists are, for example, handlebars, charioteer, car driver, Mobilist, motorist, vehicle driver or motorist.
10 facts about cars - Before the first car from Ford there was already the windshield wiper!
Shortly after Henry Ford's first car (Ford Model A) rolled off the assembly line, the American Mary Anderson received the patent for the world's first working windshield wiper in November 1903. This was moved from the interior using a lever. Electrically powered windshield wipers have only existed since 1926, and interval wipers have been around since 1964. If you show other road users a “windshield wiper”, you can expect a fine of 300 euros. Bargain: Worn windshield wipers are punished in Germany with a fine of 5 euros.
10 facts about cars - 16 women in the smart fortwo - world record!
In 2010, 16 women squeezed themselves into a smart fortwo. Thus, the 16 seemingly very mobile and not too strong ladies hold the world record. More people have never sat in the 2,70 meter short city-runabout, which is actually meant for only two people and some luggage. The record was set at a smart meeting, the ladies also had to drive 20 meters with the vehicle. Fun-Fact: You opted for a smart watch and tachometer, without having certainly fit a purse.
10 facts about cars - LEGO is the most successful tire manufacturer!
Accurate sales figures indicate the fewest tire manufacturers, but no tire manufacturer produces more tires than LEGO. The toy manufacturer runs millions of wheels and tires every year on 381, as Continental, Dunlop, Pirelli and Michelin are likely to be jealous, right?
10 facts about cars - 176 km traffic jam!
That was truly a super jam in February 1980. There, the vehicles jammed on a length of almost 176 kilometers between the cities of Lyon and Paris. The reason for the traffic jam was the return journey after the winter holidays. Motorists were also surprised by bad weather conditions. With a traffic jam length of 176 km, this traffic jam even made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest contiguous traffic jam on a single route.
10 facts about cars - The first traffic light in the world was in London and exploded!
In the year 1868 there was a gas lantern with red and green light in England (London). This was operated by a police officer at night. After three weeks, the gas lantern exploded. The police officer was injured and the first traffic light in the world was switched off. In London, one renounced then scarcely 50 years on the next attempt with a traffic light the traffic chaos to regulate.
10 facts about cars - Up to 3 kilometers of cables stuck in a car!
In a modern vehicle stuck between 1.000 and 3.000 meter cable. These are required for power supply and data exchange. The data from the numerous sensors, cameras and radar systems have to go to the control units as fast as possible. Currently, however, trying to save weight and bundles data channels to save cable. Thus also weight and money. If this price advantage also lands with the customer? Probably not!