Nowhere was the lavishness and unrestrained feeling of the time better brought to form than in the 1959 Cadillac. Cadillac was the first with precision machining of parts, the first with interchangeability of parts, the pioneer in multi-cylinder development, the first with electrical and starting systems, the first with synchromesh transmissions, and the first with modern chrome plating, to name just a few. The world also looked to Cadillac for the luxury options of the future, such as cruise control, and automatic air conditioning. Cadillac's most visible lead, however, was in styling. Cadillac was the first to set up a styling and design studio, and continued to create the major trends.
Fins are the most notorious styling trend of all times.
Fins influenced automobile manufacturers throughout the world for more than a decade and a half. Cadillac's fins were timidly copied by Mercedes-Benz and other luxury car makers. The fin styling theme spread to a host of industries in addition to the automobile - even conservative Chris Craft boats had a half dozen high finned models. Cadillac was the first with fins, starting with the 1948 models. Cadillac was the most extravagant with fins, the 1959 Cadillac being king.