Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

labdsknechtpiraten t1_j5ajfct wrote

Reply to comment by JoeParkerDrugSeller in Simple/Short/Silly History Questions Saturday! by AutoModerator

Basically, keys kind of come hand in hand with the invention of the starter motor.

Prior to that, you had cranks on the front of the car. On Dodge vehicles they were colloquially known as wrist breakers due to the quirks of their operation.

As for separate door and ignition keys... that is exceedingly uncommon these days, but seems, to my knowledge, to be a quirk of the Detroit Big 3. These days, basically every vehicle is keyed the same door and ignition.

9

jrhooo t1_j5axbpz wrote

I’ve heard stories, I think they referenced it on an old Top Gear episode, where even today, at some automobile museums, they’d have some old time cars as exhibits

And the crank was a known safety trap, even among the staff like, “yes, we’ve had lots of staff members broken wrists here”

EDIT: YAY. Found It! Actually a good watch. Couple minutes on “what was the first car with a modern control layout

Extra Edit: AND it has the answer to OPs question. The 1916 Cadillac Type 53. First car with an ignition key, and a standard control layout (clutch, brake, and gas pedals in the same place they are today)

6

Dramatic_Reply_3973 t1_j5vtiqz wrote

Sometime in the 80's they stopped doing this. I assume they were keyed separately so that the manufacturers could make starters and door locks separately.

This is also why we still say, "Could I have the Keys to the car?" And not "Key" to the car. Although, cars no longer have a "set of keys", it is still a phrase used in the language.

1

labdsknechtpiraten t1_j5w2gdh wrote

It went on into the 90s for general Motors (I work in parts and pull key codes to cut new keys. It comes up). But yeah, I am not familiar with the import brands (well, imported to the US like Honda or VW) doing the different key thing, but wouldn't say for sure as I just don't know

1