Motor-Car Principles; The Gasoline Automobile

A scientific publication written in the early 20th century. This work primarily focuses on the principles behind the construction and operation of gasoline-powered automobiles, elucidating technical aspects ranging from engine design to ignition systems. The opening of the book introduces the foundational concepts of the gasoline automobile, emphasizing the evolution of internal combustion engines and the standardization of their designs. Whitman discusses the principle of pressure creation through the heating and expansion of gases within the engine, laying out the cyclical events that occur in a four-stroke engine, including the processes of inlet, compression, power, and exhaust. The text also prefaces detailed discussions of engine parts, balance, and performance, positioning the reader to understand the complexities of automotive engineering that will be explored in subsequent chapters.