Automobiles are motor vehicles used for transporting people or goods on land. They have four wheels and are powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor, most commonly fueled with gasoline. The automobile is one of the most important inventions in modern history and has revolutionized transportation by providing individuals with greater mobility and enabling new forms of commerce. The automobile has also had a profound impact on everyday life, changing how people live and work. It has helped families to grow together, and allowed businesses to expand their markets. In addition, the car has created jobs for millions of workers in factories that produce cars and for others who work in restaurants, gas stations and other services to travelers.
The scientific and technical building blocks of the automobile date back several hundred years. In the late 1600s, Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens invented a type of internal engine sparked by gunpowder that could drive a wheel. By the end of the 19th century, a variety of steam-powered road vehicles had been developed including phaetons, steam buses and steam rollers. By the 1920s, gasoline-powered cars dominated the market.
Henry Ford revolutionized automotive manufacturing in the United States by introducing a method of mass production. He used an assembly line where workers were assigned a single task and parts passed over them on conveyer belts. This made it possible to sell cars at lower prices than ever before. Other manufacturers followed suit and the automobile industry became global.
Modern life would be inconceivable, or at least highly inconvenient, without automobiles. They enable people to travel to work and to visit family, friends or business associates. In addition, automobiles provide jobs in many industries such as the manufacture of tires, fuel, engines, and the design, sales and marketing of cars. In the United States, dozens of spin-off industries have grown from the needs of the automotive industry such as oil and rubber companies, auto dealers, restaurants and motels.
However, cars have also caused serious problems. Millions of people die in traffic accidents every year and the use of gasoline pollutes the atmosphere. In cities, roads are often crowded with vehicles and parking spaces are limited. Cars consume huge amounts of energy and require maintenance that can be costly. They are also a major source of noise and air pollution.
Despite the enormous economic benefits of the automobile, it is often criticized for the questionable aesthetics of its nonfunctional styling and its contribution to higher levels of air pollution and dwindling world oil supplies. In the 1960s, concerns about these issues caused consumers to begin to abandon traditional American cars in favor of fuel-efficient, functionally designed and well-built Japanese models. The era of the annually restyled, American made road cruiser came to an end in the 1970s as strict government standards on safety, emissions and fuel efficiency were implemented. By 1980 Japan had become the world’s leading automotive manufacturer. This trend is continuing into the 21st century.