Automobiles are a symbol of modern civilization and one of the most widely used forms of personal transportation. They are four-wheeled motor vehicles designed for road travel that utilize an internal combustion engine fueled by a liquid petroleum product, most commonly gasoline (petrol), and also diesel fuel and electric power. Some automobiles are designed to carry passengers, while others are configured as freight trucks. Specialized automobiles include police cars, fire engines, ambulances, and other emergency vehicles. There are also automobiles designed for off-road or racing use.
The earliest automobiles were powered by steam or electricity. However, the first practical, marketable automobiles were developed in the 1860s and 1870s with the development of the internal combustion engine. It was the development of this technology that allowed automobiles to become a significant force in society and economy.
Prior to the invention of the automobile, people transported themselves by horse-drawn carriages or bicycles. The emergence of the automobile changed this by making the transport of large amounts of goods and people possible over long distances. This changed the way the world works and brought the conveniences of mass production and manufacturing to the masses.
The history of the automobile includes many milestones in technology and design. Exactly who invented the first car is still debated, but it is known that the automobile owes its existence to a variety of inventors and developers.
By the early 1900s, the automotive industry was booming and more than 7 million cars were being produced per year worldwide. The American automobile industry dominated this market and pioneered the techniques of mass production. Almost all car manufacturers in the United States began by using an assembly line to build their products. This method of production reduced costs and made it affordable for middle-class families to own a car.
After World War II, the automobile industry saw new innovations such as power steering and power brakes. Larger, more luxurious models started appearing as well. With oil becoming more scarce, automotive manufacturers started to look for ways to make their vehicles more efficient and economical.
The automobile is the most common mode of transportation in the developed world. In addition to the countless hours that most people spend in their vehicles each week, they also provide a means to travel to destinations that are not easily reached by public transportation. Owning a car gives people the freedom to travel at their own pace and explore new places, creating memories and experiences along the way. However, the reliance on cars to get around can have a negative impact on the environment, as well as health and social justice issues. The ecological impacts of the automobile can be seen in the destruction of habitat and animal deaths on roads, as well as the emissions from the vehicles themselves. Increasingly, the environmental impacts of automobiles are being taken into consideration in vehicle designs and infrastructure planning.