The Automobile and Its Impact on Society
The automobile is the vehicle that most people think of when they hear the word “car.” It’s a four-wheeled machine powered by an internal combustion engine or an electric motor that can carry a number of passengers. The automobile has had a tremendous impact on society in America and around the world. It has provided millions of Americans with freedom and access to jobs, shopping, entertainment and places of worship. But the automobile has also caused harm, including air pollution and traffic accidents that lead to death and injury.
Invented in the late 1800s, automobiles changed society by giving people more mobility. Karl Benz, a German engineer, was the first to make a practical gasoline-powered motor car. By the 1920s, American manufacturers dominated the industry. Henry Ford innovated mass production techniques and slashed the cost of cars so that middle-class Americans could afford them. Ford, General Motors and Chrysler emerged as the “Big Three” automakers.
Automobiles are complicated machines that use many systems to run. The heart of every automobile is the internal combustion engine that burns fuel to power the wheels and generate electricity to operate lights and other electrical systems. Modern automobiles are usually powered by gas or diesel fuel, although they may also be driven by electricity from a battery or by liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) from an onboard generator.
The design of an automobile depends on its intended use. For example, vehicles designed for off-road driving require durable and rugged systems with high resistance to severe overloads and extreme operating conditions. While a car designed to cruise along a limited-access highway needs comfortable seats, optimized passenger capacity, high engine performance and improved vehicle stability.
With so many automobiles on the roads, manufacturers continually restyle their models and add new features to meet consumer demand. As oil prices rose in the 1970s, car makers developed more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Almost everyone uses an automobile on a regular basis, and there are many different types of cars. Some are designed for racing or for hauling heavy loads, while others are made to transport families. Then there are the emergency cars, which are used to respond to fires, crashes and other emergencies.
Automobiles are essential to the lives of many Americans, especially those who live in rural areas with few public transportation options. Having your own vehicle can save you time and money, as you don’t have to wait for someone else to pick you up. Besides, owning a car provides a sense of freedom and independence. Some women even took a bold step and drove alone across the country in 1916 to advocate for the right of women to vote. They decorated their cars with “votes for women” banners. It’s not surprising that today, having your own car is a symbol of status and wealth. It is also a necessity for many families, because public transportation can be expensive and unreliable. There is an inverse relationship between population density and the value of owning an automobile.