The Automotive Female

The car is feminized as early as 1900. In the late nineteenth century, women are content to be mere transient, but in 1898, some of them dare to take the wheel in place of their husbands. Camille du Gast and Duchess of Uzès are pioneers in the automotive industry. The latter is also the first woman to receive the equivalent of driving license to be verbalized for speeding and is the initiator of the first "Automobile Club" féminin. This initiative was not welcomed by the men who see the taming gears a way to enhance the face "weaker sex".

While progress remains slow, the impact of the automobile on attitudes is undeniable. The stars of the time involved in this new phenomenon: Greta Garbo, Josephine Baker or Gaby Morlay pose with pleasure at the wheel of their car. Moreover, automakers do not hesitate to include models "feminine" in their range. The ads are targeted to women now as consommatrice.

Therefore, the Concours d'Elegance is organized, allowing women and their cars to win prizes, like men in racing. The contest judge cars while women are present to make a profit. At that time, the car is sold without bodywork and should thereafter to the purchaser to visit a body shop to clothe his car. The car is considered synonymous with freedom, in the sense that it can move very easily, anytime. Thus, at a time when the woman is still not considered equal to men, the car resembles a certain quest for freedom femmes.