 |
 |
 |
1 | 2
|
|
Cars terrified horses. People -- and horses -- died in horrible car crashes. The roar of gasoline engines was deafening. Politicians fought back with anti-car laws. One law required cars to stop at every intersection. The driver then had to "examine the roadway ahead and sound his horn vigorously. Then [shout] loudly or ring a gong" and "discharge a Roman candle, Vesuvius bomb or some other explosive device as final warning of his approach."
|
|
|
But early drivers faced more than just legal problems. At the turn of the century, America had some 2.3 million miles of roads. But in 1900, only 10 miles of road had been paved with concrete. Most American roads were extremely rugged.
|
|
|
Many early car trips ended with flat tires, fires, or even explosions. No wonder motorists bought "tourist" kits full of wrenches, screwdrivers, and food rations. The Saks and Company Emergency Motorist Kit, for example, included four pounds of meat and two pounds of chocolate to stave off starvation in case of a breakdown.
|
|
