What Are Automobiles?
Automobiles are vehicles designed for transporting people and goods. They have become the most common means of transportation, with an estimated 1.4 billion automobiles in operation worldwide. The main components of an automobile include the chassis, engine, transmission, control systems, electrical equipment and service devices. The power of an automobile comes from an internal combustion engine that runs on gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, liquefied petroleum gas or other fossil fuels. This fuel is ignited by a spark and the resulting explosion drives a piston down through a cylinder, which then pushes a crankshaft that powers the wheels of the vehicle.
The automobile has changed society in many ways. It opened up more work possibilities, allowed for families to live farther apart and gave people greater personal freedom. It created new industries, including motels and hotels, recreation centers, restaurants and fast food services. It also sparked recreational activities such as camping, hunting and fishing and spurred the development of public parks. It has brought with it problems such as traffic congestion and air pollution, and a draining of the world’s oil supply. The automobile has made possible new laws and regulations governing highway safety, seat belt use, speed limits and drivers’ licenses.
Whether you are going to school, work or just shopping for groceries having your own vehicle will save you a lot of time. The hours that would have been spent traveling from place to place by bus or taxi can be used doing other things, such as spending more time with your family.
AUTOMOBILES ARE SAFER THAN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. Of course, there are some reckless drivers out there but in general, cars provide a safer form of travel than buses or trains. If you are a careful driver, you can avoid accidents and crashes altogether by obeying the rules of the road. Furthermore, if you have your own car, you can leave a little earlier to get to work or school and not have to worry about missing the bus.
Karl Benz is credited with inventing the modern automobile, but it was Henry Ford who really put it into the hands of ordinary people. Before 1910 most automobiles were expensive, handmade machines only for the rich. Ford innovated mass production techniques that allowed him to make cheaper cars for the masses. It is said that he “put America on wheels”. He also paid his workers a living wage, so they could afford to buy the cars they produced. This was an important step toward the democratization of the automobile. These were revolutionary times in automobile history, and it is no wonder that they continue to impact our lives today. The automotive industry is constantly working to improve and innovate. Research and development engineers work to make the body, chassis, engine, drivetrain, electronic controls and other mechanical and electrical parts of the automobile better and more efficient. These improvements can be seen in the hundreds of different models that are available on the market today.