how did you learn to work on cars?

I think my first real repair was putting a new pull rope in the B/S push mower.
Sometime later I used a file to recreate the notch in the end of that recoil spring after the end had snapped off. I think my "If I cant fix it it aint broke" mentality started right there.
Car knowledge came from.. 1 owner operated auto repair shop with 1 worker. 1 owner operated auto upholstery shop with 1 worker. These were the places I chose to be whenever I could, even playing hookie from school.