The ‘Conquering Car’: Technology, Symbolism and the Motorisation of Australia before World War II*

This article is based on research conducted while the author was the recipient of a Harold White Fellowship at the National library of Australia. An earlier version was presented as a Harold White Lecture in November 1995.1 would like to thank Maree Beer, Heather Gregory, I.R. Hancock, Anthea Hyslop, Iain McCalman, and the two anonymous referees for their comments on earlier versions. ‘Conquering Car’ is the title of an article in Motor in Australia, 1 September 1927.

Abstract

The process of motorisation in Australia has received little attention from historians. This is surprising given Australia's rapid adoption of the motor car, and its long‐held position as one of the most motorised nations on earth. By examining the economics of car ownership, the uses to which vehicles were put, and the symbolic status of the motor car within Australia's cultural frames of reference, this paper seeks to explain the speed and enthusiasm with which Australians took to motoring in the years before World War II.

Notes

This article is based on research conducted while the author was the recipient of a Harold White Fellowship at the National library of Australia. An earlier version was presented as a Harold White Lecture in November 1995.1 would like to thank Maree Beer, Heather Gregory, I.R. Hancock, Anthea Hyslop, Iain McCalman, and the two anonymous referees for their comments on earlier versions. ‘Conquering Car’ is the title of an article in Motor in Australia, 1 September 1927.