[BC] Stooopid Engineering Wins

[FrankGott@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/19/2006 12:10:55 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
dynotherm at earthlink.net writes:

<< But the biggest one of all time is probably automatic transmissions
 in cars. The hydrostatic design is used on much heavy equipment
 because it is more versatile, easier to control and infinitely
 variable. As I understand it, the reason was by the time Detroit
 saw presentations they had plans for building hydrodynamic
 transmission plants for use in the early '50's cars. Re-engineering
 the cars that were slated to get A/T and the plants to make them
 was considered to great an expense, and since then, they have done
 transmissions the same as always. >>

That was 50 years ago!  You would think an innovative automaker would offer a 
hydrostatic model by now.  Offering better mileage and Cauliflourornia 
standard emissions would attract enough buyers to justify the retooling.

Of course, the local transmission shop may not know how to repair it.

Frank Gottlieb