A Brief History of the Automatic Transmission

By Mister Transmission

No more missed shift gates. No engine lugging or racing. No torn-stocking, high-heel clutch-pedaling dramas. None of that. Just press the gas and go.

 

The introduction of the automatic transmission did this by offering a “no-muss, no-fuss” form of shifting. The earliest automobiles offered only manual transmissions, which were similar in principle to today’s stick-shift vehicles. These cars sported two forward gears and one reverse, coupled to the engine via a series of pedals. But as cars grew larger and traffic got worse, engineers began searching for a way to have the car “automatically” shift from one gear to another. Designers spent decades perfecting the modern automatic transmission. Here we offer a brief introduction and overview of the history of the automatic transmission.

The First Automatic Transmissions

The first automatic transmission was invented in 1921 by a Canadian steam engineer, Alfred Horner Munro. Munro designed his device to use compressed air rather than hydraulic fluid so it lacked power and never became sold commercially. General Motors then developed the first automatic transmission using hydraulic fluid in the 1930’s, and introduced the “Hydra-Matic” transmission in 1940.

The 1948 Oldsmobile was the first model to use a true automatic transmission. The Hyrda-Matic, developed by GM engineer, Earl Thompson, was advertised as: “The greatest advance since the self-starter.” The Hydra-Matic went through continual upgrading and refinements through 1955, but the basic design and theory used were consistent throughout its remarkably long life span. General Motors replaced the Hydra-Matic in 1956 with the Jetaway. The “Jet” was not a roaring success and quickly gave way to the Turbo Hydra-Matic in 1969.

The Hydra-Matic Transmission

The original Hydra-Matic transmission was one of the most important innovations in the history of the automobile. It wasn’t the first automatic transmission, but it was the first one that really worked and its resounding commercial success paved the way for every subsequent autoshifter.

The technology came along at an opportune time in history as North America was abundant with victory from World War II and building up steam for the post-war boom. Scads of babies and cars were produced (not necessarily in that order). Into those cars they dropped thousands of automatic transmissions. With its simplicity and ease of use, the automatic transmission offered up the automobile to the masses, fulfilling the promise of President Hoover, whom a generation earlier had promised “a car in every garage and a chicken in every pot.” At the very least it widened the perspective of an increasingly mobile workforce, fed the flow of migration to the suburbs, and welcomed women back into the economy following the war effort.

The most significant changes/improvements in automatic transmission design to date are the number of forward gears transmissions now have and the switch from mechanically controlled to electronically controlled transmission operations. Mechanically controlled automatic transmissions have reached their limit in terms of future improvements while electronically (or computer) controlled automatic gearboxes have only touched the surface of the possibilities.

image-reviews image-reviews
Customer Reviews
Best of ‘bests’… no need...
MEHMET ALTINPINAR
Best of ‘bests’… no need to say more…
Date: March 15, 2023
Website: Google
Ramon tells you honestly, exactly...
Sylvia Dittrich
Ramon tells you honestly, exactly what needs to be repaired with quality parts and fair prices. The work is completed in a timely manner.
Date: March 15, 2023
Website: Google
Jason was so kind and...
Aswin Uday
Jason was so kind and welcoming.
Date: March 14, 2023
Website: Google
The spot!!!! Love these guys!!...
Rohorn Jackson
The spot!!!! Love these guys!! Straight to the point, exceptional service! Very fair price!!
Date: March 14, 2023
Website: Google
We are very happy that...
Lori H
We are very happy that we took our truck to you we got very good service and I would recommend all of my family and friends to go get there work done.
Date: March 13, 2023
Website: Google
Everything was great!
Emily Dodsworth
Everything was great!
Date: March 12, 2023
Website: Google
These guys didn't end up...
Brendan O'Hara
These guys didn't end up working on my car, but they were willing to help any way they could. My car ended up having a different issue.
Date: March 12, 2023
Website: Google
Awesome Service. I have a...
Duane G
Awesome Service. I have a Suzuki SX4 and very few shops will even look at it. The team at Mr Transmission took me in and spent the time to find the problem in my car. I was worried it was the transmission but in the end it was something completely different. Not only did they take the time to find the real issue, they kept me up to speed on the progress and if there were additional costs, they checked before hand. In the end they fixed my car and the price was completely fair. They even noted some other Repairs I could get done, but not once did they try and pressure me to do them. Very happy with this shop.
Date: March 11, 2023
Website: Google
My transmission fluid was over...
M
My transmission fluid was over filled by another garage. These guys took my van in with no appointment and corrected it while i waited. They didnt charge me a dime! I am not saying youre going to get free service here but definitely expect great service. Thanks again.
Date: March 11, 2023
Website: Google
Great folks to deal with!!!
John Hills
Great folks to deal with!!!
Date: March 11, 2023
Website: Google
Featured Services
Transmission Repair

The evolution of transmissions has made these machines and systems increasingly complex. When transmission repairs are required, determining the cause and cure for what ails can be tricky.

Read More
Transmission Technology

At Mister Transmission we have access to leading-edge diagnostic equipment, enabling us to offer you the fastest and most accurate findings about what’s going on inside your vehicle’s transmission.

Read More
Transmission Maintenance & Service

Just as you have other parts of your car serviced, your transmission needs maintenance to ensure a long life and avoid transmission problems.

Read More
Recent Blogs
When Do You Need A Transmission Replacem...
Learn about transmission replacements, what they entail, when they’re necessary,
Read More
March 17, 2023
How Do Transmission Diagnostics Work?
Learn about transmission diagnostics, a key process in figuring out what’s wrong
Read More
March 14, 2023
4 Transmission Oil Change Mistakes To Av...
When conducting a transmission oil change, it’s important to get it right, but
Read More
March 10, 2023
What Are High-Performance Transmissions?
    What Are High-Performance
Read More
March 7, 2023
The Basics and Significance of Routine T...
Vehicle maintenance is simply one of the many grownup responsibilities we all share.
Read More
February 28, 2023
5 Signs Your Car’s Transmission Has a ...
A car transmission plays a critical role in the operation of any vehicle. It is the
Read More
February 21, 2023
Trust Mister Transmission With Your Flee...
Learn what you need to know about fleet transmission maintenance service and discover
Read More
February 16, 2023
What Is High-Performance Transmission Se...
Learn about high-performance transmissions, discover what vehicles have these
Read More
February 13, 2023
Some Indicators That Your Transmission M...
Having a reliable car is essential for most people's daily lives. As cars get older, it's
Read More
February 9, 2023
What A Transmission Specialist Can Do Fo...
You’ve multiple options for where to bring your vehicle for service, but when it
Read More
February 9, 2023