Automobiles are four-wheeled passenger vehicles that are propelled by an internal combustion engine using a volatile fuel. The automobile has transformed the world’s economy, spawning many new industries and creating jobs. It has also changed people’s lifestyle, giving them more free time and access to new activities. The automobile is a complex technical system that employs thousands of subsystems with specific design functions. These include automotive safety, emissions control and energy consumption. The automobile is not without drawbacks, including air pollution and the draining of world oil supplies.
The automobile was first invented and perfected in Germany and France during the late 1800s by engineers such as Karl Benz. But Henry Ford made the industry truly American by inventing mass production techniques and making automobiles affordable for middle class families. By the 1920s Ford, General Motors and Chrysler dominated the industry.
In recent decades, Americans have embraced the automobile. It has become the primary means of personal transportation in America and, with about 1.4 billion cars in operation worldwide, is the most widespread vehicle ever invented. But, like any tool, the automobile can be used for good or ill.
Pros: The car allows you to travel long distances more quickly than either a train or a bus, and it can carry more passengers than either of those vehicles. It can even reach places that would be inaccessible to public transport, such as mountainous areas or deserts. It can also be used to transport cargo.
Cons: The most obvious drawback to the automobile is its dependence on gasoline, which can have negative environmental and health effects. Additionally, many cars are expensive to maintain, and the insurance payments can be a significant expense for those who drive them regularly.
In addition, cars can be a source of pollution and traffic congestion. They also consume large amounts of fossil fuels and can cause climate change. Finally, they can be a dangerous weapon in the hands of terrorists or criminals.
Regardless of the drawbacks, most people find the automobile to be very useful, especially since the average commute in America is about 30 miles per day. Despite the growing problems of the environment, global oil supplies and traffic congestion, the automobile is here to stay. In the future, it is likely that we will see more electric and hybrid vehicles and alternative fuels, such as ethanol, in the market. In addition, new technologies such as electronic media, lasers and computers are transforming the automobile into what might be called an Information Age vehicle. This is a transitional period for the automobile, and its future will depend on new forces that will shape a post-automobile society.