Automobiles are motor vehicles designed for transportation on land. Typically, they have four wheels and an internal combustion engine fueled by gasoline (a liquid petroleum product). The modern automobile has revolutionized life in the United States and other countries. It has become the backbone of a new consumer goods-oriented society and is one of the largest industrial sectors in the world. It also is a major employer and is the primary source of income for many families, as well as a chief purchaser of steel, rubber, aluminum, and other ancillary products. Its demands have shaped and driven technological advances in other industries.
The automotive industry is a powerful force that has helped change American culture and social structure. It has spawned many new businesses and services that have enhanced the quality of life for people and contributed to the rise in leisure activities. It also has brought environmental harm, with air pollution and the destruction of undeveloped land to build highways. But it has also paved the way for new freedoms for people.
Having your own car gives you the independence to travel whenever you want. You no longer have to rely on public transportation or juggle your schedule to accommodate the bus. With your own vehicle, you can decide when to leave and how to get where you are going. You can also use it to make quick runs when necessary and travel farther distances more quickly than you would by foot or on public transport.
An important benefit of automobile ownership is the safety of your family members. When you are in control of the speed, maintenance, and driving style of your vehicle, it is much safer than riding in a taxi or on public transport. Besides, you are the only person who knows your family members’ habits when they are on the road.
You can also choose where you go and when, whether for shopping, working, or visiting friends and family. You can make a day trip or a long vacation by car. The automobile has made it possible for us to explore our country and the world.
The automobile was perfected in Germany and France toward the end of the nineteenth century by Gottlieb Daimler, Karl Benz, Nicolaus Otto, and Emile Levassor. Ford developed mass production at his Highland Park plant in 1910 and introduced the moving assembly line in 1913. By the 1920s it was a fixture of the American landscape and a major force in changing society. It ended rural isolation, paved the way for urbanization, and shifted the architectural design of urban neighborhoods, enabling families to move closer to jobs and social opportunities. It has also transformed the concept of work, school, and the way Americans live and play. It has also changed the architecture of the American house and created suburban living. The automobile has brought the modern city with its many amenities to rural America and altered the composition of urban neighborhoods.
