Living systems, ‘total design’ and the evolution of the automobile: the significance and application of holistic design methods in automotive design, manufacture and operation

Abstract

During the latter decades of the 20th century as products became increasingly complex it became necessary to formalise engineering and product design methods, reputed exponents of which include Gerhard Pahl and Wolfgang Beitz, L. Bruce Archer, Nigel Cross and Stuart Pugh. Pugh's 'total design' method is described as a linear activity in that product manufacture and use are considered but not what happens to the product at the end of life. This chapter discusses the need to update the 'total design' model by comparing the product life cycle and that of the automobile in particular with systems and cycles in the natural world.

A TRIZ-driven conceptualisation of finger grip enhancer designs for the elderly

“…Design methods are often seen as procedures or a set of tools used to assist design engineers. 113 These methods can be complex and vary for each design expert. Pugh 106 suggested a four-stage design process beginning with 1) exploration, 2) generation, 3) evaluation and 4) communication.…”

Black and beyond—colour and the mass-produced motor car

“…N.A. Otto of Cologne subsequently developed the four-stroke (Otto) cycle engine in 1876, which, because it ran faster and was lighter than Lenoir's engine, was better suited to automotive purposes [3]. The bicycle industry contributed bent tube technology (which made the construction of light but stiff chassis frames possible), wire wheels, rubber tyres, chains, bearings, steering systems, freewheels and other basic building blocks [4].…”