Automobiles are four-wheeled motor vehicles that are usually fueled by gasoline. They are the most common mode of land transportation worldwide. A car is a highly advanced piece of modern technology that has transformed the way people live. It is one of the most important innovations in the history of mankind. It also symbolizes the promise and the pitfalls of the modern world.
The scientific and technical building blocks for automobiles go back several hundred years. In the late 1600s Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens invented a type of internal engine sparked by gunpowder. By the end of the 19th century, the horseless carriage was well established, and production reached a high point in 1900 with 485,000 American-made cars. Most of these cars were powered by steam, electric power, or gasoline. Steam-powered cars could reach high speeds, but they were inconvenient to start and had a limited range. Electric cars were a little easier to start, but they required expensive battery packs that could only be recharged infrequently. Gasoline-powered cars, on the other hand, were easy to start and had a much greater range than their competitors.
In the early days of automobiles, most companies that produced cars were small shops that produced a handful of handmade vehicles. A few large producers emerged. Many of these firms were assemblers, meaning they used components and parts manufactured by different companies to create a finished vehicle. The assembling technique allowed for low investments in plant and equipment, and made it possible to sell the finished product to dealers for cash. This system has dominated automobile production ever since.
After the 1920s, however, there was a decline in innovation in automobiles. Engineering was subordinated to questionable aesthetics in the form of nonfunctional styling at the expense of economy and quality. And the higher unit profits Detroit earned on its gas-guzzling “road cruisers” came at a great social cost in terms of air pollution and a drain on dwindling world oil reserves.
1. OPENS UP THE WORLD: Automobiles allow you to travel distances in a very short amount of time. This gives you more freedom to work, play, and spend time with family and friends.
2. INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM: With a car, you have the freedom to travel when and where you want without having to wait on others or worry about being late for your appointment. The independence and freedom that comes with driving a car can make your life much more fulfilling.
3. SAVES TIME: Having a car means you can get around quickly, and saves you time on your commute, shopping trips, or visiting family and friends. Time is a precious commodity and having your own car will help you make the best use of it.
4. ECONOMICAL: Having a car can save you money on fuel, and the cost of repairs and maintenance. Having your own car can also mean you don’t have to depend on other forms of transportation which are often more expensive and inconvenient.