Az Eszterházy Károly Tanárképző Főiskola Tudományos Közleményei. 2001. [Vol. 7.] Eger Journal of American Studies.(Acta Academiae Paedagogicae Agriensis : Nova series ; Tom. 27)
Studies - Sándor Végh: Adoption or Adaptation?: Interpretations of the Automobile
eventually to lead. !t had to show the world —especially England and Europe —that it was possible to establish a new order, "to transplant upon a wilderness environment a culture centuries old" (Nevins IX) — to grow into a new, a unique civilization. And the "eyes of the world" were upon America. Thus, the secular understanding of the "city upon a hill" concept had determined the attitude of the American people toward the notion of progress in civilization. During this evolution, they cheered and applauded every single person —in an outstanding manner —who did achieve something of any importance that moved the nation to the cutting edge of progress. This activist understanding of national progress was especially true in the 1920's considering what we already know about the mood of the period. It is evident that one of the advancements of the era was the automobile itself among, of course, other technical and technological inventions. Moreover, the automobile's future orientation was typically American. It had no past, and pointed toward the future. Undoubtedly, the car smoothly suited the American Weltanschauung and fitted in the course and concept of American destiny and identity. In the view of this notion, it is understandable why there was a great public appreciation for the automobile. In fact, I think, the same explanation holds true for other technical innovations that received an overwhelming welcome, such as the airplane, the spaceship, and the computer. Foster's statement that "Americans have traditionally manifested remarkable enthusiasm toward technological advances" (24), explains why automobile ownership for transportation purposes resulted in a national automobile mania. Since then the family car has often been chosen to symbolize (the best of) American life. To what an extent it became an inseparable part of everyday life was very well illustrated by Martin Wachs: They are, in fact, the critical link between our homes, jobs, and social lives. Marriages are proposed in cars, and children conceived in them. A parent tells a child about his or her birth by relating the story of a hurried trip to the hospital in a snowstorm, and the end of life is marked by the solemn ride to the cemetery. (86) From a popular cultural perspective, the automobile in its early years could be looked upon as the "current American mania." As it 77
