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The following is an overview of American automotive history's most technologically productive era with emphasis on those advancements which were initially shunned by customers as overly innovative. In discussing this theme, the paper views the period's automotive technology from three points of view: Powertrain and Chassis, Body, and Overall Car, highlighting what the authors consider to have been the most significant unwanted technology. It should be noted that some of these concepts and product features made but a brief appearance on the highways of America, disappeared and were never heard of again. Others came and went, only to reappear again when either the manufacturing community or the motoring public was more receptive.

“Never resort to mathematics until you have exhausted the possibilities of two tooth-picks and a piece of string.” Such was the sage advice offered by William Bushnell Stout, one of America's most prolific inventive minds in the world of transportation. The impact of Stout's achievements has been generally overlooked. When we pause to reflect upon his many contributions to the aviation and motor vehicle industries and other fields, it seems ironic that Stout's basic tenets of simplicity and practicality were espoused at the same time he was designing airplanes, automobiles, buses, and trains which were considered to be too futuristic. Many in the automobile and aviation industries considered Stout to be merely a gadfly and constant critic of the status quo in engineering. Yet the very same men who criticized him respected him enough to elect Stout as President of the Society of Automotive Engineers in 1935. He considered the honor to be one of the greatest thrills of his life.

When the raucous, fragile, imperfect American automobile made its debut there was much concern and consternation. The costs, complexities, choices and confusion in the marketplace resulted in an ultra conservative attitude towards untested innovation or new technology. Its frailties made the American car no match for its European counterparts and despite an early movement in the direction of a small inexpensive sturdy car to handle atrocious roads, most early manufacturers opted to produce expensive more profitable large models. However, many innovative minds worked to solve the early problems and imperfections of the automobile and although their efforts were not initially approved or accepted, they provided the framework or perhaps the inspiration for later development.

In the relatively short span of 100 years, the American automobile has traveled a somewhat rocky and circuitous road from unwanted child and wealthy toy to the greatest symbol of personal freedom known to man. The imperfect American horseless carriage was introduced at a time when paved roads were virtually nonexistence, fuel was not readily available, and authorities sought to restrict its progress. Yet the automotive pioneers prevailed and literally changed the face of the country as well as its economy and technology. The changes, however, evoked criticism, regulation, and challenges which have endured.