Automobiles are four-wheeled vehicles designed primarily for passenger transportation and powered by an internal combustion engine using a volatile fuel. Modern automobiles have many complex technical systems with specific design functions and are built using materials such as high-strength plastics, aluminum alloys, and advanced steels. An automotive system is a network of mechanical, electrical and control components that work together to drive and steer the vehicle. The most common method of powering an automobile is gasoline, but some vehicles use electricity or even wind to propel them.
Karl Benz is credited with inventing the first automobile around 1885, but other inventors and engineers worked on similar designs over the next few decades. Until the early 1900s, however, automobiles were very expensive and only available to wealthy people. After that, Henry Ford, a businessman and engineer, developed the assembly line process to create inexpensive cars. His Model T revolutionized the industry and brought the automobile to the masses.
The automobile gave people more personal freedom and paved the way for new industries and services. It allowed people to live where they wanted, rather than where their jobs were located. It also opened up new social opportunities. For example, people who work in different parts of the country can now easily visit friends and family in other cities.
PERSONAL FREEDOM: Owning an automobile allows you to go to work and play in the same day. This gives you more time to spend with the people that matter most in your life. Plus, you can drive across town or the state in a matter of minutes which saves time on your commute and shopping trips.
EASY ACCESS TO THE STORE: The ability to drive a car opens up a whole new world of shopping options. Stores that once only offered groceries can now offer much more, like clothes, electronics and furniture. You can also drive to the beach, mountains or other destinations for a day trip without having to find a bus or train schedule.
CONS: An automobile is a large polluter. Most of them run on gasoline, which releases carbon dioxide—a greenhouse gas—into the atmosphere. You can limit your environmental impact by driving a fuel-efficient car and keeping it well maintained.
FASHION: The automobile allows you to look cool in front of your friends. You can choose a sleek sportscar or a luxurious sedan. And you can even choose a sport-utility vehicle that offers SUV-like functionality and space with car-like handling and fuel efficiency.
The automobile is an important part of our society, but it’s not without its drawbacks. It can be difficult to keep up with the maintenance and upkeep, and it’s always a hassle to find a parking spot. Also, most of the cars on the road are gas-powered, which causes pollution and drains the Earth’s oil supplies. But, overall, the pros outweigh the cons and there are ways to minimize your negative impacts.
