Another Day to Rival Binary Day

In a widely-read blog published in October 2010 Cartell highlighted the signifiance of binary code and computer technology in the development of the automobile. Today we consider another important numeric code: 111111  – which is the date tomorrow. Of course, as we pointed out in the earlier article in this series, we are missing a couple of important digits because tomorrow’s date in full should read: 11.11.2011 which does not make it operable as binary code. Still, the basic premise still stands.

So, on the day that’s in it, we thought we’d look at the significance of the number 1 to cars and car technology. The best place to start is with the first car. A quick look at that most reliable of sources – Wikipedia – tells us that steam powered vehicles have been in existence for some time – since 1672 to be precise. However, the automobile as we know it today takes its origins from the 1885 Benz Patent-Motorwagen (see picture).

The first factory mass-produced affordable vehicle was the Ford Model T – the precursor, both in design and manufacture, to the modern motor car (see picture). It’s interesting that both Benz (a fore-runner of modern-day Mercedes Benz) and Ford have largely retained their titles as innovative manufacturers who are first to bring innovative concepts to market. The Mercedes Benz S-Class is probably the most significant passenger road car of modern times: introducing innovations like airbags, accident avoidance, ABS braking, traction control and Electronic Stability Program (ESP). Likewise the Ford Mondeo was the first car to introduce a drivers airbag in all of its versions.

Of course the number one has been a significant number in other aspects of the car industry too: Formula 1 for instance is a motorsport featuring high velocity cars requiring a team of qualified engineers to construct every time the vehicle is set to race.

These light and highly sophisticated vehicles are the best performance cars in the world over shorter distances and present a spectacle viewed by millions worldwide annually as well as spawning a multi-million dollar industry of marketing and advertising.   Of course Formula 1 is a sport too and with the money involved it attracts the best talent globally both to the ranks of its engineers and drivers.

The number one is also an important number within the context of vehicle technology and the computers required to build and enhance that technology. At the moment, the most important concept is fuel consumption, diverse fuel and engine types, and fuel-saving measures employed by the industry to combat the ‘fossil fuels’ issue and protect the environment.

Among the manufactuers leading proceedings here are Honda – who are looking at Hydrogen as a fuel option – Toyota – who were among the first to introduce electric engines – and BMW – who are looking at various ways of increasing fuel consumption levels to rates unimaginable a few years ago.

Finally, we admit, this article could just as easily be about the number 11. So, with that in mind, check out this blog here.

Oh, and by the way, remember Cartell is the first and number one car history check company in Ireland 🙂