Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-vdxz6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-01T09:04:19.810Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Intercompany Technical Standardization in the Early American Automobile Industry*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 February 2011

George V. Thompson
George V. Thompson
Affiliation:
University of Wisconsin
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

Industrial historians have generally failed to note the importance of the technical standards that have been developed through intercompany agreements in the automobile industry. While they have studied the changing institutional character of American industry and have chronicled the mechanical developments of recent technology, they have undertaken but few explorations into die complex interrelationships between mechanical technology and business structure. In relating the growdi of intercompany technical standards' in the automobile industry up to about 1930, this study attempts to show the influence of changing business conditions on standardization and hence on the mechanical technology of the automobile.

Type
Articles
Information
The Journal of Economic History , Volume 14 , Issue 1 , Winter 1954 , pp. 1 - 20
Copyright
Copyright © The Economic History Association 1954

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 This study does not consider the various commercial standards that trade associations have sponsored in the automobile industry.

2 Brief accounts of early standardization efforts can be found in Adams, C. A., “Industrial Standardization,” Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, LXXXII (1919), 289–99, and inCrossRefGoogle ScholarIndustrial Standardization (New York: National Industrial Conference Board, 1929), pp. 1-15, 64–72Google Scholar.

3 Scientific American, C (1909), 40-41; Seltzer, Lawrence H., A Financial History of the American Automobile Industry (New York: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1928), p. 42Google Scholar.

4 Epstein, Ralph C., The Automobile Industry; Its Economic and Commercial Development (New York: A. W. Shaw Co., 1928), pp. 227–35Google Scholar.

5 President Coffin, Howard E., “S.A.E. Succeeds Mechanical Branch of A.X.A.M.,” Automobile, XXII (1910), 979Google Scholar; Heldt, P. M., “The S.A.E. at Twenty-Five,” Automobile Industriet, LXII (1930), 796–91Google Scholar.

6 Seltzer, , Financial History of Automobile Industry, pp. 19–20Google Scholar.

7 The Studebaker. E.M.F., comprising 8 per cent of national output of 187,000 vehicles in 1910, was another threat to smaller producers.-Albert Russel Erskine, History of the Stttde-balder Corporation (Chicago: The Studebaker Corporation, 1924), p. 33; Seltzer, , Financial History of Automobile Industry, pp. 36, 65-66, 169Google Scholar.

8 “A.L.A.M. Tenth National Show; January 8 to 15, 1910,” Automobile, XXII (1910), 1 ffGoogle Scholar.

9 Seltzer, , Financial History of Automobile Industry, pp. 39–41Google Scholar.

10 Ibid., pp. 31-32, 65-66; Barnes, John K., “The Men Who ‘Standardized’ Automobile Parts.” World's Work, XLII (1921), 206Google Scholar.

11 Prior to 1917 the society was known as the Society of Automobile Engineers.

12 The Society of Automobile Engineers; 1910 Transactions (hereafter cited as S.A.E. Transactions), V (1910), 125–26; also,Google ScholarS.A.E. Transactions. VI (1911), 339Google Scholar; Barnes, , “The Men Who ‘Standardized’ Automobile Parts,” World's Work, XLII (1921), 306Google Scholar.

13 White, H. S., “Seamless Steel Tubes-Standard Sizes and Gauges,” S.A.E. Transactions, V (1910), 249Google Scholar.

14 Zimmcrschied, K. W., “The Value of Standards in the Manufacture of Automobiles,” S.A.E. Transactions, X (1915), Pt. II, 464–67Google Scholar.

15 Coffin cited additional reasons for standardization, but he suggested that because of the financial crisis first attention be given those standards which would alleviate the purchased-parts problem.- S.A.E. Transactions, VI (1911), 339Google Scholar. A 1910 trade journal article charged that past prosperity had hampered standardization, but that in the prevailing financial crisis the need for standardization was paramount.- Automobile, XXII (1910), 588–89Google Scholar.

16 S.A.E. Transactions, V (1910), 125Google Scholar.

17 From the S.A.E. Constitution, S.A.E. Transactions, IV (1909), 1Google Scholar; also, Chase, Herbert, “S.A.E. Celebrates Us Silver Anniversary,” American Machinist, LXXII (1930), 861–62Google Scholar.

18 Chase, , “S.A.E. Celebrates,” American Machinist, LXXII (1930), 861–62Google Scholar; S.A.E. Transactions, V (1910), 143Google Scholar.

19 S.A.E. Transactions, V (1910), 136Google Scholar.

20 Heldt, , “The S.A.E. at Twenty-Five,” Automotive Industries, LXII (1930), 791Google Scholar; S.A.E. Transactions, V (1910), 135, 137Google Scholar.

21 S.A.E. Transactions, V (1910), 132Google Scholar.

22 Barnes, , “The Men Who ‘Standardized’ Automobile Parts,” Worlds Work, XLII (1921), 204Google Scholar; S.A.E. Transactions, VI (1911), 21Google Scholar.

23 S.A.E. Transactions, VI (1911), 467Google Scholar.

24 Souther, Henry, “The Standardization Work of the S.A.E.,” S.A.E. Transaction, VII (1911), Pt. II, 28–47Google Scholar; also. “President's Address,” S.A.E. Transactions, VI (1911), 62-63, 460–69Google Scholar.

25 Approval by the entire membership was dropped in the early 1920's.

26 S.A.E. Transactions, VII (1912), Pt. II, 31–32Google Scholar; “Extent and Effect of S.A.E. Standards,” Journal of the Society of Automotive Engineers (hereafter cited as S.A.E. Journal), IX (1921), 4Google Scholar; “History of Automotive Standardization,” S.A.E. Journal, XXVI (1930), 700 fGoogle Scholar.

27 Clarkson, Coker F., “Government Transportation Plans: Great Work of the Society of Automobile Engineers in Standardizing Parts,” Scientific American, CXIV (1916), 582CrossRefGoogle Scholar.

28 “Second Report of Seamless Steel Tubes Division,” S.A.E. Transactions, VI (1911). 522–24Google Scholar.

29 Souther, , “The Standardization Work’ of the S.A.E.,” S.A.E. Transactions, VII (1912), Pt. II, 28–47Google Scholar.

30 This survey of S.A.E. standards has been derived from an examination of the Standards Committee reports and standards discussions in the S.A.E. Transactions (1911-20).

31 Letter from Mack, in S.A.E. Transactions, VI (1911), 538Google Scholar.

32 S.A.E. Transactions, VII (1912), Pt. II, 70Google Scholar.

33 Clarkson, , “Government Transportation Plans,” Scientific American, CXIV (1916), 582CrossRefGoogle Scholar.

34 Huff, Russell, “Industry's Debt to the S.A.E.,” Automobile, XXXIV (1916), 1019Google Scholar;Transactions, VII (1912), Pt II, 70Google Scholar.

35 S.A.E. Transactions, XI (1916), Pt. I, 376Google Scholar.

36 Dunham, George W., “Address of President,” S.A.E. Transactions, XIII (1918), Pt. I, 81Google Scholar.

37 Editorial, “Using Standards,” Automotive Industries, XLVI (1922), 142Google Scholar.

38 Chase, Herbert, “Executives Should Foster Use of Standards,” Automotive Industries, XLV (1921), 1101 fGoogle Scholar.

39 S.A.E. Transactions, VII (1912), Pt. II, 318–20Google Scholar.

40 Seltzer, , Financial History of Automobile Industry, p. 57Google Scholar.

41 “Makers Save by Using S.A.E. Standards,” Automobile. XXXI (1914), 74–75Google Scholar; Dunham, George W., “S.A.E. Standardization,” S.A.E. Journal, IX (1921), 373–74Google Scholar.

42 Seltzer, , Financial History of Automobile Industry, p. 57Google Scholar.

43 A General Motors metallurgist, K. W. Zimmerschied, became chairman of the Standards Committee in 1915.

44 Moskovics, F. E., “Increased Use of Standards Essential to Future Automotive Prosperity,” Automotive Industries, XLVII (1922), 671Google Scholar.

45 Chase, , “Executives Should Foster Use of Standards,” Automotive Industries, XLV (1921), 1102Google Scholar.

46 Masury, A. F., chief engineer of Mack Trucks, Inc., cited in “Myers Suggests Axle Standardization,” Automotive Industries, XLVI (1922), 713Google Scholar.

47 L. A. Dante, “Standards Activities in General Motors Corporation” (Address before Graduate School, National Bureau of Standards, March 24, 1950); also, Seltzer, , Financial History of Automobile Industry, p. 100Google Scholar.

48 Seltzer, Financial History of Automobile Industry, pp. 57-59.

49 Ibid. p. 57.

50 It should be noted, however, that, as markets expanded, standards for accessories were less necessary, since each service station or repair center could afford to stock more varieties.

51 Many of these reasons for standardization were realized in some measure at the beginning of the S.A.E. program, though at the start standardization to relieve the parts and materials purchasing problem was the overriding consideration.

52 “Personnel in 1925 Technical Committees,” S.A.E. Journal, XVI (1925), 151–54Google Scholar.

53 The Henry Ford Archives contain only one substantial piece of correspondence between Ford and S.A.E.-a letter in 1908 from Ford's office to the secretary of S.A.E. refusing a request to deliver a paper on “Simplicity of Automobile Design” before an S.A.E. meeting (Henry Edmunds, Ford archivist, to author, October 22, 1952); also, interview with Don Blanshard, Manager of Technical Committees Division, S.AJL, November 14, 1952, Madison, Wis.

54 S.A.E.Handbook,; 1933 Edition (New York: Society of Automotive Engineers, 1933)Google Scholar.

55 Warner, John A. C., “Quick Glimpses of S.A.E. Achievement,” S.A.E. Journal, XXXIV (1934), 20Google Scholar.

56 Chase, , “S.A.E. Celebrates Its Silver Anniversary,” American Machinist, LXXII (1930), 865–66Google Scholar.

57 Heldt, P. M., “Tire Standardization,” Automotive Industries, IX (1929), 431Google Scholar.

58 Smarr, B. M., cited in “Standards Committee Session,” S.A.E. Journal, XXVI (1930), 275–76Google Scholar.

59 Cardullo, Forrest E., chief engineer of G. A. Gray Company (Cincinnati), quoted in S.A.E. Journal, XVIII (1926), 279–80Google Scholar.

60 S.A.E. Transactions. VIII (1913), Pt. I, 68Google Scholar; ibid., XI (1916), Pt. I, 371.

61 “Fifth' Report of Ball and Roller Bearings Division,” S.A.E. Transactions. IX (1914). Pt. I. 53–55Google Scholar.

62 Kennedy, W. P., quoted in S.A.E. Transactions, VIII (1913), Pt. I, 7Google Scholar; also, S.A.E. Transactions, IX (1914), Pt. I, 10Google Scholar.

63 “Refiners Should Play Ball with S.A.E.,” editorial from National Petroleum News, printed in S.A.E. Journal, XXII (1928), 673Google Scholar.

64 Quoted in “Discussion of Iron and Steel Report,” S.A.E. Transactions, VI (1911), 499–517Google Scholar; also, Heldt, , “Tire Standardization,” Automotive Industries, LXII (1930), 802Google Scholar.

65 Buckwaltcr, T. V., quoted in S.A.E. Transactions, IX (1914), Pt. I, 42Google Scholar.

66 William H. T. Tuthill, secretary of Tuthill Spring Company (Chicago), quoted in S.A.E. Transactions, VI (1911), 101Google Scholar.

67 Letter from Swan, Willis A. in “The Automobile Engineer's Forum,” Automobile, XXXI (1914), 76–77Google Scholar.

68 Quoted in “Makers Save by Using S.A.E. Standards,” Automobile, XXXI (1914), 77Google Scholar.

69 Kennedy, W. P., quoted in S.A.E. Transactions, VII (1912), Pt. n, 70Google Scholar.

70 S.A.E. Transactions, VI (1911), 63, 328Google Scholar.

71 Henry F. Donaldson, quoted in Ibid., VI (1911), 336.

72 Ibid., VI (1911), 696-98.

73 Christian Girl, president of Perfection Spring Company (Cleveland), quoted in Ibid., VI (1911), 687.

74 S.A.E. Transactions, VII (1912), Pt. II, 36, 47-48, 50–64Google Scholar.

75 “Myers Suggest s Axle Standardization,” Automotive Industries, XLVI (1922), 712–13Google Scholar.

76 Schipper, J. Edward, “Move to Unify All Interests in Hub Standardization Work,” Automotive Industries, XLIV (1921), 592–94Google Scholar.

77 Letter from Younger, in Automotive Industries, XLIV (1921), 568–69Google Scholar.

78 Clarkson, , “Government Transportation Plans,” Scientific American, CXIV (1916), 58aGoogle Scholar;S.A.E. Transactions, XI (1916), Pt. II, 55Google Scholar; Ibid., XII (1917), Pt. II, 76-78; Ibid., XIV (1919), Pt. I, 185-200; American Standards Year Book.: 1929 (New York: American Standards Association, 1929), p. 7Google Scholar.

79 Herbert Hoover's enormously influential Committee on Elimination of Waste in Industry recommended in 1921 that “a nation-wide program of industrial standardization should be encouraged by government in cooperation with industry.”-Committee on Elimination of Waste in Industry of the Federated American Engineering Societies, Waste in Industry (Washington: Federated American Engineering Societies, 1921), p. 32Google Scholar.

80 In 1920 S.A.E. President J. G. Vincent, vice president of the Packard Motor Car Company, with some exaggeration, called America n automotive engineers the progenitors o f the standards movement the world over.- “Address of President J. G. Vincent,” S.A.E. Transactions, XV (1920), Pt. I, 517–22Google Scholar.

81 By 1928 the S.A.E. was co-operating with the American Standards Association on twenty-three different standardization projects.- American Standards year Book 1929, p. 71.