speedometer etymology

Etymology

The word "speedometer" originates from three Greek roots:

  • spedo-: meaning "speed"
  • -meter: meaning "measure"
  • -tron: meaning "instrument"

Meaning

A speedometer is an instrument that measures and displays the speed of a vehicle. It is usually located on the dashboard or steering column and allows the driver to monitor the vehicle's speed while driving.

Origin

The first speedometer was invented in 1888 by Otto Schulze, a German engineer. Schulze's speedometer used a centrifugal governor to measure the speed of a vehicle. The governor was connected to a dial that indicated the speed in kilometers per hour.

In 1901, the Electric Tachometer Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, began producing the first commercially available speedometer. This speedometer used an electric generator to measure the speed of the vehicle's driveshaft.

Speedometers have been an essential safety feature in vehicles for over a century. They help drivers maintain a safe speed and avoid speeding tickets. Modern speedometers are typically electronic and use a variety of sensors to measure the speed of the vehicle.

speedometer relate terms

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