“As historians, we tend to be really good at explaining the events of the past, but our track record for ‘predicting’ the future often leaves a great deal to be desired. We are scarcely into the third decade of the 21st Century and yet one can easily feel the tectonic plates shifting under us. If the impending return of the electric automobile seems like another episode of ‘Back to the Future,’ don’t feel alone. Yet, we can understand the many issues connected with the development of the infrastructure that will be necessary, among other things, for the new generation of electric vehicles to replenish their batteries while in service.
Service stations for the replenishment of the petroleum needed to power the internal combustion-engined vehicles of the 20th Century did not magically, wondrously appear out of thin air. The story of the petroleum itself is another aspect of this tale that demands attention — and, so on and on. We can provide the context for how we got to where we are and some ideas regarding the azimuth — or azimuths — along which we are moving might encounter some issues. The notions of space and place regarding automobility will doubtless change thanks to the increased use of electric vehicles. Just as it did in the waning years of the 19th Century and the opening decades of the 20th.
As some have observed and reminded us many times: you can’t know where you are going unless you know where you have been.”
— H. Donald Capps, SAH Journal (2021, p. 3)
RE:SOURCES
- Capps, H. Donald; 2021. “President’s Perspective.” SAH Journal (membership required). March/April issue, No. 309: p. 3.
Apt and timely reminder.