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Think about the noise emanating from vehicles around the country and the planet. Now think of how much louder those vehicles would be without their mufflers. Known as silencers in other parts of the world, catalytic mufflers quite literally “muffle” the noise stemming from the exhaust of internal combustion engines while simultaneously reducing their pollution. Learn about the history of this essential vehicle component to increase your auto part knowledge.

A Baffle System

The first version of the car muffler was created by Milton Reeves of the Reeves Pulley Company in the late 1800s. It was invented in response to the exceedingly loud vehicles that disrupted communities, annoyed residents, and frightened horses. The baffle system Reeves created in 1896 quieted vehicle engines considerably.

The Modern Muffler

mufflerA Frenchman named Eugene Houdry is the father of the modern car muffler. Born in the late 1800s, Houdry went to school for mechanical engineering and provided the auto industry with several important contributions, including higher quality gasoline. His muffler was born of a desire to create a more eco-friendly vehicle that produced less toxic exhaust, with Houdry filing a patent for the invention in 1962. The Frenchman died that same year, but not before he founded the Oxy-Catalyst company to further reduce vehicle emissions.

Practical Developments

Mufflers have continued to evolve since the 1960s, such as the use of fiberglass to absorb engine noises and valves that adjust the auto part as engine speeds change. Electronic mufflers came about in the 2000s and featured noise-canceling technology similar to what is used in noise-canceling headphones. Despite the changes the muffler has undergone, its value in terms of reducing air and noise pollution has never diminished.

 

Dee’s Auto Care Specialists is the locally owned business proudly providing muffler, brake, and other outstanding auto repair services to drivers in the Midwest. Featuring two convenient locations in La Crosse and Onalaska, WI, and one in Winona, MN, the shop boasts an ASE-Certified crew, offering preventative maintenance advice almost as often as they provide outstanding auto care. Call (608) 782-2530 (La Crosse), (608) 783-0500 (Onalaska), or (507) 452-1115 (Winona) to schedule an appointment, or visit the website for additional information. And don’t forget to follow the auto repair center on Twitter for helpful tips.

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