The Driving Machine

A Design History of the Car

Witold Rybczynski (University of Pennsylvania)

$49.95

Hardback

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English

WW Norton & Co
08 October 2024

History of Art & Design Styles; Industrial: Commercial Art & Design; History of engineering & technology; Automotive technology & trades; Motor cars: general interest

In this lively and entertaining work, Witold Rybczynski-hailed as ""one of the best writers on design working today"" by Publishers Weekly-tells the story of the most distinctive cars in history and the artists, engineers, dreamers, and gearheads who created them. Delving into more than 170 years of ingenuity in design, technology, and engineering, he takes us from Carl Benz's three-wheel motorcar in 1855 to the present-day shift to electric cars. Along the way, he looks at the emergence of mass production with Henry Ford's Model T; the Golden Age of American car design and the rise of car culture; postwar European subcompacts typified by the Mini Cooper; and the long tradition of the streamlined and elegant sports car.

Rybczynski explores how cars have been reflections of national character (the charming Italian Fiat Cinquecento), icons of a subculture (the VW bus for American hippies), and even emblems of an era (the practical Chrysler minivan). He explains key developments in automotive technology, including the electric starter, rack-and-pinion steering, and disc brakes, bringing to light how the modern automobile is the result of more than a century of trial and error. And he weaves in charming accounts of the many cars he's owned and driven, starting with his first-the iconic Volkswagen Beetle.

The Driving Machine is a breezy and fascinating history of design, illustrated with the author's delightful drawings.

By: Witold Rybczynski (University of Pennsylvania)
Imprint: WW Norton & Co
Country of Publication: United States [Currently unable to ship to USA: see Shipping Info]
Dimensions: Height: 239mm, Width: 163mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 427g
ISBN: 9781324075288
ISBN 10: 1324075287
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 08 October 2024
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Witold Rybczynski is an architect and emeritus professor of urbanism at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of twenty-two books, including the best-selling Home, City Life, and The Story of Architecture. He lives in Philadelphia.

Reviews for The Driving Machine: A Design History of the Car

"""[A] breezy, entertaining package that will be a fun read for a wide audience—not just car enthusiasts. Rybczynski has some great stories to tell, and his love for his subject shines through on every page."" -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) ""With exuberant insight, Rybczynski offers an intriguing, cross-continental history of the evolution of automobile design over 150 years. … The lively charm of this accessible, enjoyably mapped-out narrative is further enriched by [his] well-crafted drawings of referenced cars. … Automotive enthusiasts and general readers alike will be equally enthralled."" -- Kathleen Gerard - Shelf Awareness ""[An] affectionate history."" -- Brendan Driscoll - Booklist"