Automobiles are a form of transportation used to carry people and goods over long distances. They are powered by an internal combustion engine and usually run on gasoline. They have four wheels, and a cabin where the driver and passengers sit. The automobile is one of the most common ways to get around, and it has revolutionized how we live our lives.
OPENS UP THE WORLD: If you don’t have a car, your daily schedule is often dictated by public transportation times and routes. Owning a vehicle gives you the freedom to choose where and when you want to travel, which can open up new work opportunities and social relationships. It also means that you can take a vacation whenever you want.
Karl Benz is credited with inventing the automobile, but it wasn’t until Henry Ford figured out how to mass-produce the car that it became affordable to most Americans. Ford’s production system, which used a moving assembly line where workers stood in one place and did only one task as parts passed by on the conveyor belt, meant that cars could be made faster and at a lower cost. Ford’s Model T cost $575 in 1912, which was less than the average annual wage.
The automobile had a profound impact on America and the rest of the world. It shifted the economy toward consumer goods, and it provided many jobs in the steel and petroleum industries. Its demand for fuel created environmental problems such as air pollution and automobile accidents, and it consumed vast amounts of undeveloped land. It also helped create leisure activities such as golfing and roadside diners where drivers would stop for food and drink.
ECONOMICALLY SOUND: Automobiles are complex systems that involve many engineering functions. The design of the body, chassis, engine, drivetrain, and interior are all important, and research and development engineers constantly try to improve these. They must consider a wide range of factors, including weight, safety, and performance. They must also keep pace with new technology, such as electronic controls and high-strength materials.
SIGNS OF AGE: After the automobile boom of the 1920s, the industry began to decline in both production and sales. During World War II, the automotive industry turned out millions of military vehicles and other war material. After the war, however, engineering was subordinated to questionable aesthetics and nonfunctional styling, and quality deteriorated to the point that in the 1960s American-made automobiles were delivered with an average of twenty-four defects per unit.
In 1973, oil-producing countries stopped shipping as much of their reserves to the United States, which led to high prices and long lines at gas stations. This caused consumers to seek out more fuel-efficient models, and the market responded with a wave of compact cars such as the Volkswagen Beetle. Moreover, increasing concern about the environment has led automakers to work harder to make more cars that use less gasoline. In the future, there is likely to be a shift away from traditional fossil-fuel engines to electric and hybrid cars.