Skip to content
Home Car Advice Top Automotive Innovations of the Past 100 Years – 1940s: The Automatic Transmission
The 1940s were a tumultuous time. America was involved in World War II, and resourcefulness was at the forefront of many families’ minds. Meanwhile, technological advancements were plentiful, and the U.S. emerged as a world superpower. Despite this (or perhaps as a byproduct of this era), automotive innovation continued to blaze on throughout the decade.
The decade’s most important innovation arrived at the very beginning, in 1940, when Oldsmobile introduced General Motors’ Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission.
Prior to this innovation, every vehicle on the road needed some manual involvement in shifting. Ford’s Model T used a unique two-speed planetary gearset, often called a “three-speed” at the time (two forward, one reverse) was relatively easy to use, but GM’s Hydra-Matic, which offered four forward gears, was the world’s first mass-produced, fully automatic transmission. The Hydra-Matic closely resembled today’s automatic transmissions. Other manufacturers experimented with similar systems during the era, but GM was the first to mass-produce such an option across its entire vehicle lineup.
The effect of this technology cannot be overstated, as it opened the automobile market to many more consumers, eliminated the need for driver skill in gear shifting, reduced stalling, and reduced drivetrain strain.
Sam Staudt is an Oklahoma City-based automotive senior editor and seasoned content creator with a decade of crafting videos and a passion for anything with four wheels. He has worked alongside automotive giants, including Ken Block, Kevin Hart, Mario Andretti, Richard Petty, TJ Hunt, and Ryan Sheckler. He is an expert in leading creative teams to push the boundaries of artistic style while marrying it with functional information-based storytelling in the automotive space. When he’s not behind the camera or in the editing booth, Sam loves playing basketball and spending time with his wife, Cambry, and their two cats.
Simply choose the content you'd like to receive below and we'll send it straight to your inbox.
Newsletter
Get the latest news on the best cars, best deals, and more.
Sam Staudt Articles
Receive upcoming articles by this KBB.com expert.
Email Address
Invalid email address
Price cars, trucks and SUVs on KBB.com
