The future of passenger vehicles

SAE 100 Future look: In 1905, when SAE was born, automobiles were known as horseless carriages. It was an apt description considering their appearance and level of sophistication.

Most were powered by rudimentary internal combustion engines that were started by hand crank. It would be another six years before Charles Franklin Kettering's invention of the electric starter resulted in a new Cadillac motor car that cranked over at the touch of a button.

“Boss” Kettering went on to become one of the world's most prolific inventors, with more than 300 patent applications. His genius with electrical devices provided a competitive advantage that helped propel General Motors to global automotive leadership. I wonder if even he could have predicted remote-starting a car with the push of a button on a key fob from the comfort of a living room chair.