Automobiles in interwar Chișinău

Abstract

Based on archival sources, the author highlights one of the innovative elements of the era, namely the use of the automobile in the second largest city of Romania as a whole, by population. The vehicle is presented from the perspective of social etiquette, of the realities of daily life in the city, which comes in unison with the economic and cultural development of the city. Car use comparisons are made in Romania with other countries. The difficulties generated both by vehicle maintenance (fuel, consumables, poor condition of roads, maintenance and repair of equipment, etc.) and accident cases are presented. In order to drive, drivers had to have licenses (issued by the Chișinău Police Prefecture) and medical records. The establishment and activity of the Professional Union of Drivers from Bessarabia and the Society of Moldovenilor Automobilisti also tell us about the development of the automotive industry. Within the Chișinău City Hall, an Automobile Section has been activated. As a case study, the garage of the delegated minister of the Romanian Government in Bessarabia was presented. Special attention was paid to the condition of the infrastructure, an inherent element of the use of automobiles.

Keywords

• automobiles
• infrastructure
• social etiquette
• chișinău
• interwar
• romania