Automobiles are a major part of modern life. They are a symbol of freedom and mobility, providing access to work and leisure. They have revolutionized urban planning, creating suburbs and redefining the urban landscape. They are the largest consumer of steel and petroleum products, and they support many ancillary industries, including glass, tires, plastics, paints, metal fabrication and more. They are a key force behind the creation of a new economy and a new society. Despite their importance, they have also caused problems for society and the environment.
An automobile is a self-propelled motor vehicle intended for passenger transportation. It usually has four wheels and is powered by an internal combustion engine fueled most often by gasoline, a liquid petroleum product. It is one of the most universal of all modern technologies and it is manufactured by one of the world’s largest industries. Over 73 million automobiles were produced worldwide in 2017.
The first cars were built in the late 1800s, using gasoline-powered engines. Several inventors were responsible for these early automobiles, such as Gottlieb Daimler, Karl Benz, Nicolaus Otto and Emile Levassor. Some of these cars were very advanced, with features such as pneumatic tires and an electrical system.
Car production leaves a huge footprint, both in energy use and material consumption. The manufacture of a single automobile uses thousands of pounds of steel, hundreds of tons of rubber, and dozens of gallons of oil. In addition, the construction of roads and highways is a huge public expenditure.
In the United States, the automobile became a driving force for change in twentieth century America. It accelerated the development of a new consumer goods-oriented society and created many ancillary industries, such as service stations and roadside restaurants. It ended rural isolation and brought city amenities to the countryside, such as schools and medical care.
As a result of the rapid expansion of the automobile industry, many new jobs were created. In the 1920s, it was estimated that automobile manufacturing generated more revenue than any other industry in the country. By the end of the 1980s, the industry had become more of a consumer goods company and it was producing less in terms of actual vehicles than it had during its peak years. At the same time, technological stagnation and questions about soaring fuel costs made automobile production more difficult.
Today, new cars are being designed to be more environmentally friendly. Some are being made to run on electricity rather than gasoline. Eventually, they will be computerized and may drive themselves. Some people worry that these automobiles will make the traffic jams and air pollution of the past seem like a minor problem. Others are excited that they will be able to save time and not have to wait around for buses or trains. In any event, it will be interesting to see what the future of automobiles holds.