If you’ve ever been inside a car and looked at the ignition, you’ll notice there are two switches: one for the engine and one for the air conditioning. Back in the day, cars only had one switch—the one for the engine. And that’s how they were designed. But things have changed dramatically in recent years, as we now enjoy all sorts of new technologies like air conditioning and electronic Stability Control. So how did we get from one design to the other? Let’s take a look at when ignition switches first started being installed on cars.
What is an Ignition Switch?
An ignition switch is a component of an automobile that is used to start the engine. The ignition switch typically consists of two or more bronze contacts that are closed by the person pressing the key in the ignition switch.
How Did Ignition Switches Start Being Used On Cars?
Ignition switches were first installed on cars in the early 1920s. Before that, cars used carburetors to get fuel from the air and then turned a crank to send the engine into gear. Carburetors were very unreliable and often went out of tune, so carmakers began experimenting with alternative methods of starting engines.
In 1921, GM engineers figured out how to use an electric switch to turn the engine on. The first cars with ignition switches used either a manual or automatic system. Manual ignition switches required the driver to pull a lever next to the steering wheel to turn the car on. Automatic systems worked like modern day keyless entry systems–the car would start when you put your key in the ignition.
The popularity of automatic systems led to widespread adoption of ignition switches in 1930. Automobiles became faster and more reliable due in part to this technology, which made driving much easier for drivers and passengers alike.
The Advantages of Installing an Ignition Switch
The ignition switch is one of the most important components on a car. It controls how the engine starts and keeps it running. When a car was first manufactured, there was no technology to help restart the engine if it stalled. Instead, the driver would have to turn the key off and back on again.
That all changed in 1936 when GM engineers created a system that could restart the engine if it stalled. The system used a rotating spark plug and an ignition coil. The spark plug would start firing when you turned the key, and that fire would send electricity through the coils to create heat. That heat would cause gasoline to vaporize, which in turn would ignite and start the engine.
There are several advantages to having an ignition switch installed on your car:
1) It can help you get your car started in cold weather or if you’ve lost your key.
2) If your car has remote starting, an ignition switch will let you start your car from anywhere in the world.
3) If your battery is dead, an ignition switch will still let you start your car using regular gas.
Disadvantages of Not Installing an Ignition Switch
There are some disadvantages to not installing an ignition switch on your car. First, it can be very dangerous if the car is left running with the key in the “off” position. This is because there is no way to turn the engine off if the key is stuck in the “off” position. Second, if you have a faulty ignition switch, it can cause your car to not start. If your car won’t start, you will need to take it to a mechanic in order to have it fixed.
Conclusion
When was ignition switches first installed on cars? Even though the answer to this question might be simple, it is not always easy to find. According to some sources, the switches were first installed in 1932 on Buick cars. However, according to other sources, they were only installed on Ford cars in 1948. The answer may surprise you!