Von der medizinischen Kritik zur psychotechnischen Disziplinierung: Arzt und Kraftfahrzeug am Beginn des Automobilzeitalters

Abstract.

This contribution focuses on medical and psychological discussions about the consequences of early automobilism in Germany. It can be shown that the medical profession was reasonable discordant concerning attitudes towards the motorcar.Whereas a growing number of doctors used the relative inexpensive and useful small cars, which were aggressively advertised by industry, an influential minority identified the risks and damages of motorised driving very clear sighted. Medical criticism was not fundamental but focused on personal mistakes of drivers or technical and technological inadequateness that could be removed. It therefore differed significantly from the basic opposition of several “enemies of progress”.