An automobile, also referred to as a motor car or a car, is a wheeled vehicle that is primarily used for passenger transportation and is powered by an internal-combustion engine fueled by a volatile fuel. It is one of the most universal of modern technologies.
AUTOMOBILES HAVE GREATLY IMPACTED THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTRY. They gave people the ability to travel long distances and not be dependent on others for transportation. They allowed families to go on vacations and enjoy their time together in places they could not have easily reached before the advent of automobiles. Businesses were able to expand as roads were constructed and industry developed to provide the cars with fuel. Services like gas stations and convenience stores were created to meet the needs of motorists.
The history of the automobile is a fascinating one. It all started with Karl Benz of Germany who invented the first true automobile in 1885. However, it was not until Henry Ford’s mass production techniques that the gasoline-powered automobile became accessible to the average American family.
As the years went on, new technical developments made cars faster and safer. The development of electric engines, high-strength plastics, and advanced alloys improved the body, chassis, engine, drivetrain, safety systems, and much more. During World War II, market saturation combined with technological stagnation and automobile production came to a halt as automakers focused on military vehicles. After the war, the main issues with automobiles became nonfunctional styling, poor quality and safety, a draining of oil reserves, and a public perception that they were gas guzzling machines.