Automobiles are motor vehicles designed to carry people and/or cargo. They are fueled by an internal combustion engine powered most often by gasoline (petroleum), but can also be powered by other fuels, including electricity and natural gas. Cars may be divided into passenger cars, commercial or delivery vehicles and special vehicles (fire, sanitary, mobile crane, autoclave, refrigerator, infantry fighting vehicles, etc).
The invention of the automobile revolutionized the world of business, transportation and society. It gave people more freedom and allowed them to travel to places that had not been accessible before. It also opened up new opportunities in work and leisure, allowing people to move more easily from one job to another and to visit family and friends over long distances. Industries and services grew up to supply fuel, tires, parts, and services like gas stations and convenience stores.
Many people use cars to commute and run errands, and the majority of Americans own automobiles. Some people also use them for recreational activities, such as camping or going on road trips. In addition, the automobile has become a symbol of American culture and has influenced the design of other vehicles worldwide.
The word “automobile” comes from the Greek words for self and motion. The first modern automobiles used steam power, but today they usually have an internal combustion engine fueled most commonly by gasoline. When a person sits in the vehicle, presses the accelerator pedal and drives, the automobile moves by itself.
In the late 1800s several inventors and engineers worked on the idea of making a car that would run with an internal combustion engine. Karl Benz is credited with creating the first automobile in 1885, but other people continued to develop and improve the design. By the beginning of the 20th century, car manufacturing had become an industry and Henry Ford developed mass production techniques that made it possible for many ordinary people to afford automobiles.
The automobile is a complex system that requires many different types of materials to be built. It needs to be able to move on the roads, so roads are constructed. It also needs to be able to turn. The engine and motor need to send energy to the wheels, so the wheels can turn, and the amount of energy sent is called horsepower or kilowatts. The more powerful the engine or motor, the faster and farther the automobile will go.