Automobiles are wheeled motor vehicles designed to carry passengers. They have four wheels and use an internal combustion engine fueled by liquid petroleum fuel such as gasoline (petrol). In the past, automobiles were powered by steam, electricity and various other sources, but nowadays they are mostly fueled by gas. Cars are a very complex technology and there are many systems in them that work together to make them run smoothly, safely and efficiently. Some of the main systems include the engine, transmission, chassis, safety equipment, electrical and control systems. All of these systems are constantly being improved by research and development engineers to keep pace with new technical developments and consumer demands.
It is difficult to overstate the importance of the automobile in modern society. In the United States alone, people drive about three trillion kilometres every year on average. This makes cars the most widely used mode of transport in the world. It has become an indispensable tool for daily life, providing access to jobs, homes, leisure activities and services. Many industries grew up to meet the needs of this new mode of transportation, including those that produced and distributed petroleum and gasoline, rubber and plastics, and steel. Services like motels, fast food restaurants and roadside service stations sprang up as well. Governments developed laws and regulations to support this new mode of transport, including traffic rules, highways and drivers’ licenses.
There are millions of people worldwide who work in the automotive industry, making and repairing cars. Besides, there are countless other people who are dependent on the automobile for their livelihood, such as the police officers and fire fighters who fight traffic accidents and the truckers who transport goods.
Although the technology for the automobile existed before the 19th century, it was Henry Ford who made it affordable and accessible to the masses by using the assembly line. This invention revolutionized industrial manufacturing and led to a huge number of spin-off industries. Millions of people also work at the many gas stations, restaurants and hotels that serve traveling motorists. The automobile has had both positive and negative effects on society, however. For example, it has contributed to the decline of mass transit systems and has polluted the environment with exhaust. It has also led to the creation of many new leisure activities and services, such as tourist attractions, amusement parks and golf courses.
Despite these problems, the automobile is still the most popular way to travel. It is hard to imagine what life would be like without the convenience of being able to visit friends or family at a moment’s notice, go shopping for whatever you want and go wherever you want, whenever you want. Cars are the most important invention of our times and they symbolize the promise and the pitfalls of modernity. They are a symbol of freedom and individualism, but they can also be a source of stress, loneliness and anxiety as well as a source of health problems.
