Umair Gaines
The history of automatic electric transmission is a long and complex one, with several key inventors contributing to its development over the years. The first automatic transmission was invented in 1921 by Canadian steam engineer Alfred Horner Munro, who designed the device to use compressed air rather than hydraulic fluid, though this meant it lacked power. In 1932, Brazilian inventors José Braz Araripe and Fernando Lehly Lemos developed the first prototype of an automatic gearbox that used hydraulic pressure from fluid, which was then bought by General Motors and developed into the Hydra-Matic, released in 1940. This was the first automatic transmission that truly worked and was a commercial success, paving the way for the future of automatic transmissions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First automatic transmission | Invented in 1921 by Canadian steam engineer Alfred Horner Munro |
| First real automatic transmission | Invented in 1939 by General Motors |
| First automatic transmission with clutch | Invented in 1948 by Cadillac |
| First five-speed automatic | Jatco 5R01, introduced in 1989 by Nissan |
| Percentage of new cars with manual transmissions in 2015 | 43% |
| Percentage of new cars with manual transmissions in 2020 | 37% |
| Percentage of cars with automatic transmissions in the US in 1957 | Over 80% |
| Percentage of cars with automatic transmissions in Europe in 1997 | 10-12% |
| Percentage of new cars with automatic transmissions in the UK since 2020 | Majority |
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What You'll Learn
The first automatic transmission
The first mass-produced automatic transmission was the General Motors Hydra-Matic, introduced in 1939 for the 1940 model year. The Hydra-Matic combined a fluid coupling with three hydraulically controlled planetary gearsets to produce four forward speeds plus reverse. The transmission was sensitive to engine throttle position and road speed, producing fully automatic up- and down-shifting that varied according to operating conditions. The original Hydra-Matic remained in production until the mid-1960s and was one of the most important innovations in automotive history.
The Hydra-Matic was not the first automatic transmission, but it was the first one that worked well and achieved commercial success. Its release came at an opportune time in history, as North America was experiencing post-World War II prosperity. The popularity of the automatic transmission helped fulfil President Hoover's promise of "a car in every garage and a chicken in every pot". It widened the use of automobiles in the mobile workforce, facilitated the flow of migration to the suburbs, and encouraged the participation of women in the economy following the war effort.
The development of automatic transmissions continued to evolve with improvements in hydraulic technology and the introduction of electronic controls in the early 1980s. Today, automatic cars are some of the most popular vehicles on the market, offering drivers convenience and ease of use.
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The Hydra-Matic transmission
The Hydra-Matic was designed to combine the hydraulic operation of a planetary gearbox with a fluid coupling, eliminating the need for a friction clutch and manual gear shifting. It featured four forward speeds (3.82:1, 2.63:1, 1.45:1, and 1.00:1) and reverse, with all acceleration provided by gearing. The transmission was introduced by Oldsmobile in 1939 for the 1940 model year, with almost 200,000 units sold by 1942. During World War II, the Hydra-Matic was used in military vehicles, including tanks.
The Hydra-Matic was a significant innovation in the history of the automobile. While it was not the first automatic transmission, it was the first one that was widely available to the public and truly functional. It offered simplicity and ease of use, making automobiles more accessible to a broader audience. The transmission was also known for its ruggedness and reliability, especially in light trucks and drag racing in the 1960s.
Over time, the Hydra-Matic underwent continuous development and refinements. A major internal redesign occurred in 1956 to address harsh gear changes. The Controlled-Coupling Hydra-Matic, introduced in 1952 models, incorporated a secondary fluid coupling and a pair of sprag clutches, resulting in a smoother driving experience. By 1949, one million Hydramatics had been sold, and it was made available to other automakers, including Rolls-Royce, Hudson, and Lincoln.
The original Hydra-Matic was phased out in 1964, but the Hydramatic name has endured at GM. It was replaced by the Turbo Hydra-Matic, which was developed to supersede the original Hydra-Matic models and the Buick Dynaflow. The Turbo Hydra-Matic series introduced in 1964 featured three forward speeds and reverse, and it gradually replaced other automatic transmissions within GM.
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Electronically controlled transmission
The first automatic transmission was invented in 1921 by Canadian steam engineer Alfred Horner Munro, who designed the device to use compressed air rather than hydraulic fluid. However, it lacked power and was never sold commercially. The first automatic transmission to be sold commercially was the Hydra-Matic, developed by GM engineer Earl Thompson. Although not the first of its kind, the Hydra-Matic was the first automatic transmission that "really worked", and its commercial success paved the way for future autoshifters.
In the following decades, automatic transmissions became increasingly common, especially in the United States. However, they were initially considered inferior by car and truck enthusiasts, and were not widely adopted in Europe. It wasn't until the late 1960s that most fluid-coupling two-speed and four-speed transmissions were replaced by three-speed units with torque converters. During the 1980s, four gear ratios became more common, and many transmissions were equipped with lock-up torque converters to improve fuel economy.
Around this time, electronics began to replace mechanical control methods in automatic transmissions. Electronically controlled transmissions allowed for more precise control of shift points, shift quality, and shift times, as well as manual control. They also improved fuel economy and made it easier to adapt to common driving conditions, such as downshifting when driving downhill. The first electronically controlled five-speed automatic was the Jatco 5R01, introduced by Nissan in 1989.
Today, electronically controlled transmissions are standard equipment in nearly all new vehicles. They have improved tuning capabilities compared to mechanically-controlled systems, and allow for a wider range of engine and transmission combinations. They also improve driver safety by allowing drivers to keep both hands on the wheel and concentrate on the road ahead. However, they have more moving parts and require software to operate, which can increase maintenance costs.
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The evolution of car transmissions
As cars grew larger and traffic increased, engineers began searching for a way to automate gear shifting. The first automatic transmission was invented in 1921 by Canadian steam engineer Alfred Horner Munro, who designed a device using compressed air rather than hydraulic fluid, though it lacked power and was never commercially sold. The first mass-produced automatic transmission was the General Motors Hydramatic two-speed hydraulic automatic, introduced in 1939. This combined a fluid coupling with three hydraulically controlled planetary gearsets to produce four forward speeds and one reverse. The Hydramatic was sensitive to engine throttle position and road speed, producing fully automatic up- and down-shifting that varied according to operating conditions.
In the late 1960s, most of the fluid-coupling two-speed and four-speed transmissions were replaced by three-speed units with torque converters. During the 1980s, four gear ratios became increasingly common, and many were equipped with lock-up torque converters to improve fuel economy. The first five-speed automatic was the Jatco 5R01, introduced in 1989 by Nissan.
In recent years, electronic transmission controllers have replaced mechanical systems, allowing for more precise control of gear shifts and better performance and efficiency. The growing prevalence of electric and hybrid cars has also contributed to the popularity of automatic transmissions, as they are easier to integrate with safety systems such as Autonomous Emergency Braking. As of 2020, a majority of new cars in the United Kingdom have had automatic transmissions, and manufacturers like Mercedes and Volvo no longer sell cars with manual transmissions.
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The future of car transmissions
The automatic transmission has come a long way since its inception, with the technology evolving from compressed air and hydraulics to advanced modern electronics. The future of car transmissions is closely tied to the rise of electric vehicles and the integration of AI, with a focus on improving fuel economy, sustainability, and performance.
The first automatic transmission was invented in 1921 by Canadian steam engineer Alfred Horner Munro, who designed a system using compressed air. However, it was the Hydra-Matic, developed by GM engineer Earl Thompson, that became the first commercially successful automatic transmission, paving the way for future advancements.
Over time, automatic transmissions replaced manual transmissions in many vehicles, offering simplicity and ease of use. The increase in electric vehicle sales and the push for sustainability have challenged manufacturers to innovate and adapt. Electric vehicles will likely see advancements in battery chemistry and the adoption of multi-speed transmissions to improve performance and efficiency.
The integration of AI and computer-controlled transmissions is also shaping the future. With electronic transmission controllers, vehicles can track engine speed, braking, and driving conditions, enabling more precise shifting for maximum power, torque, and efficiency. Additionally, the growing prevalence of autonomous safety systems, such as Autonomous Emergency Braking, further favours the use of automatic transmissions.
As the industry transitions towards electrification, manufacturers must stay agile and informed about emerging trends. The future may hold fully autonomous vehicles with advanced transmissions that meet new demands for power and performance. While the number of gears in automatic transmissions has increased over time, it is uncertain if multi-speed transmissions will become standard in electric vehicles. Nonetheless, advancements in transmission technology will continue to play a pivotal role in the automotive industry's evolution.
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Frequently asked questions
There is some debate over the answer to this question. Many historians believe that the first automatic transmission was designed by the Sturtevant brothers of Boston in 1904. However, some credit Canadian steam engineer Alfred Horner Munro with inventing and patenting the first automatic transmission in 1921 or 1923.
The Sturtevant brothers' transmission did not have a name, but the one designed by Alfred Horner Munro was called the "Automatic Safety Transmission" (AST).
The Sturtevant transmission could not handle the pressure of quick gear changes and was prone to breaking. Munro's transmission used compressed air instead of hydraulic fluid, which meant that it lacked power and was not commercially viable.
The first usable automatic transmission was the ""Hydra-Matic", which was introduced by General Motors in 1940. This was the first automatic transmission to be mass-produced and was a huge success.
The Hydra-Matic used hydraulic fluid and was the first true automatic transmission, meaning it did not use any kind of clutch. It did not have a separate position for putting the car into park, and you could shut off the engine regardless of the gear.
