How Has Driving Become a Huge Part of Popular Culture?
Cars, driving, and road trips have become a massive part of popular culture, influencing many aspects of the entertainment industry along the way. By looking at a few of the most important examples, we can see how this has happened and in what different ways we can enjoy the thrill of a roaring engine and an open road.
The Long History of Car Movies
It didn’t take long for automobiles to make their presence felt in the movie industry. 1927’s The First Auto was filmed as a silent movie with a synchronized soundtrack that was created to add atmosphere. At the time of its release, 15 million Ford Model T vehicles had just been produced and the way we traveled was changing rapidly, so it’s perhaps fitting that The First Auto shows us how a family with a background in horse racing is divided when so-called horseless carriages begin to take over the streets. Road trip movies have become a classic part of the cinematic industry, with 1969’s Easy Rider and 1991’s Thelma & Louise two of the most loved films of this type, but the long history of road trip movies means that we can choose from a vast array of characters and situations, from slapstick comedy like Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure to the deep, contemplative drama of Ingmar Bergman’s Wild Strawberries. These movies provide a way of showing us the beauty of long-distance driving but from that starting point, they each head in different directions to focus on different aspects of life.
It didn’t take long for automobiles to make their presence felt in the movie industry. 1927’s The First Auto was filmed as a silent movie with a synchronized soundtrack that was created to add atmosphere. At the time of its release, 15 million Ford Model T vehicles had just been produced and the way we traveled was changing rapidly, so it’s perhaps fitting that The First Auto shows us how a family with a background in horse racing is divided when so-called horseless carriages begin to take over the streets. Road trip movies have become a classic part of the cinematic industry, with 1969’s Easy Rider and 1991’s Thelma & Louise two of the most loved films of this type, but the long history of road trip movies means that we can choose from a vast array of characters and situations, from slapstick comedy like Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure to the deep, contemplative drama of Ingmar Bergman’s Wild Strawberries. These movies provide a way of showing us the beauty of long-distance driving but from that starting point, they each head in different directions to focus on different aspects of life.
Real-Life TV Documentaries
Our fascination with driving can be seen in the way that there are many documentaries on the subject. Horatio's Drive: America's First Road Trip was directed by Ken Burns and released in 2003. It tells the story of the first cross-country trip across the US in an automobile, carried out by Horatio Nelson Jackson and Sewall K. Crocker, together with a pitbull named Bud, in a Winton car. Virtually every big name in the motor racing world has been featured in documentaries, with the lives and careers of drivers including Ayton Senna and Michael Schumacher among the recent subjects covered. The six seasons to date of Formula 1: Drive to Survive on Netflix have proved to be a big success by giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at the industry. A seventh season will be released in March this year to let fans see how their favorites are getting on.
Our fascination with driving can be seen in the way that there are many documentaries on the subject. Horatio's Drive: America's First Road Trip was directed by Ken Burns and released in 2003. It tells the story of the first cross-country trip across the US in an automobile, carried out by Horatio Nelson Jackson and Sewall K. Crocker, together with a pitbull named Bud, in a Winton car. Virtually every big name in the motor racing world has been featured in documentaries, with the lives and careers of drivers including Ayton Senna and Michael Schumacher among the recent subjects covered. The six seasons to date of Formula 1: Drive to Survive on Netflix have proved to be a big success by giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at the industry. A seventh season will be released in March this year to let fans see how their favorites are getting on.
Casino Slots with a Driving Theme
Casino slots have long been a big part of the entertainment business, with the earliest machines at the end of the 19th century showing symbols like fruits and bars on them. Many modern online slots use similar images as part of a retro style that reminds us of the history of these games. However, as the market has expanded rapidly, numerous themed slots have been added with different settings and images used… and that’s where automobiles come in. Online slots featuring autos and driving have proved to be highly successful, even in this somewhat crowded space. The list of the current car-based online slots includes titles such as Golden Highway, which takes players on a trip across Highway 66 with a fast car and classic American images like a bald eagle and the Grand Canyon. Retro Wild Ride has a similar theme, with the five reels featuring symbols like a sporty car and motel in California sign. The reels are designed like an old-fashioned radio where you can also choose from three different soundtracks.
Casino slots have long been a big part of the entertainment business, with the earliest machines at the end of the 19th century showing symbols like fruits and bars on them. Many modern online slots use similar images as part of a retro style that reminds us of the history of these games. However, as the market has expanded rapidly, numerous themed slots have been added with different settings and images used… and that’s where automobiles come in. Online slots featuring autos and driving have proved to be highly successful, even in this somewhat crowded space. The list of the current car-based online slots includes titles such as Golden Highway, which takes players on a trip across Highway 66 with a fast car and classic American images like a bald eagle and the Grand Canyon. Retro Wild Ride has a similar theme, with the five reels featuring symbols like a sporty car and motel in California sign. The reels are designed like an old-fashioned radio where you can also choose from three different soundtracks.
Songs About Cars and Driving
The idea of hitting the open road and driving toward the distant horizon has helped inspire a huge number of songs over the years. A look at the list of the best road trip songs for summer throws up names like Highway To Hell by AC/DC, Steppenwolf’s Born To Be Wild, and Crosstown Traffic by Jimi Hendrix. Not all of the most iconic driving songs are specifically about being on the road, however, although there are plenty of examples where driving is the theme. Bruce Springsteen is one of the best examples of an artist who has created many songs about life on the road. Born to Run, Thunder Road, Used Cars, and Cadillac Ranch all put vehicles right at the heart of the action. Little Red Corvette by Prince and Drive by the Cars also spring to mind when we think about famous tunes inspired by revving motors and fast driving. Whether you’re preparing for a road trip or getting ready for an off-road adventure, these are great songs to get you in the right mood. Driving and cars in general have become such a big part of our lives that it’s easy to take them for granted. Yet, these examples have shown us how big an influence this has been over almost a century and how it should continue to enter many different elements of popular culture in the future.
The idea of hitting the open road and driving toward the distant horizon has helped inspire a huge number of songs over the years. A look at the list of the best road trip songs for summer throws up names like Highway To Hell by AC/DC, Steppenwolf’s Born To Be Wild, and Crosstown Traffic by Jimi Hendrix. Not all of the most iconic driving songs are specifically about being on the road, however, although there are plenty of examples where driving is the theme. Bruce Springsteen is one of the best examples of an artist who has created many songs about life on the road. Born to Run, Thunder Road, Used Cars, and Cadillac Ranch all put vehicles right at the heart of the action. Little Red Corvette by Prince and Drive by the Cars also spring to mind when we think about famous tunes inspired by revving motors and fast driving. Whether you’re preparing for a road trip or getting ready for an off-road adventure, these are great songs to get you in the right mood. Driving and cars in general have become such a big part of our lives that it’s easy to take them for granted. Yet, these examples have shown us how big an influence this has been over almost a century and how it should continue to enter many different elements of popular culture in the future.