why are automatics so messy

DaveBonds said
The actual reason given by Chrysler, is because when they bought the the Torque Flite transmission design and comissioned the automatic transmisson to be made, they were convinced that it would not need to be maintained during the lifespan of the car.

I

+1.
From an early '70's Chrysler Service Manual it reads something like:
The transmission should not need filter or fluid changes, except for fleet use vehicles, taxi cab, police. Then the filter and fluid should be changed at 100,000 miles.

I had a 1970 Plymouth with a 904, trans. pan not removed from new, shifted great, 225,000+ miles.