Automobiles are motor vehicles designed to transport passengers on land. They usually have four wheels and are propelled by an internal combustion engine using a volatile fuel. Modern automobiles are complex technical systems comprising many subsystems with specific design functions.

Pros: The automobile is the most widely used method of personal transportation in the world. It provides a fast, economical way to move people and smaller amounts of cargo from one location to another. It gives people freedom to travel when they want and not be bound by the schedule of public transportation.

Cons: Automobiles can be dangerous, especially when people drink and drive. They can also pollute the air if too many are driven in a small area and their use contributes to climate change by releasing carbon dioxide. In addition, cars can be expensive to own and maintain and parking space is often limited.

History:

The automotive industry began with the invention of the internal combustion engine by Nikolaus Otto, Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz. But it was Henry Ford’s introduction of the assembly line in 1908 that caused the car to become what we know today. It allowed the manufacture of large numbers of gas-powered cars at relatively low prices.

The mass production of automobiles allowed them to be affordable for most middle-class Americans. It also gave rise to a new culture of American independence and individuality. Women were among the first to take advantage of this freedom. They drove across the country in 1916 with banners saying “votes for women”.