Automobiles are the most common form of transportation on the planet, providing a convenient way to get from home to work, from town to country and beyond. They are driven by an internal combustion engine fueled by gasoline, or sometimes other liquid petroleum products. The automobile is one of the most universal of modern technologies, a major source of consumer wealth and one of the world’s largest industries.
The automobile is the main mode of transport for people in most countries, and it has revolutionized society. It allows people to travel great distances to places they would not be able to reach on foot or by horse. It allows a family to live in the city and still visit relatives in rural areas, or it allows someone living in the mountains to travel to the beach. It also opens up new possibilities for leisure activities, such as shopping and attending movies.
While historians often focus on Karl Benz’s invention of the automobile in 1885, and many other inventors followed, it was Henry Ford who revolutionized the car industry by using the assembly line. This made cars cheaper, and so more people could afford to buy them. It also allowed manufacturers to increase production and thus more quickly supply the market.
By the 1920s, automobiles became the backbone of a consumer goods-oriented society. They were the primary consumers of oil, the chief customer for steel and many other industrial products. Ancillary industries, such as vulcanized rubber and highway design, also blossomed. They also enabled families to spend more time together.
As the economy boomed, Americans continued to increase their ownership of automobiles, and by 1980, most households owned at least one. It is estimated that there are about 1.2 billion cars on the road today.
Most are passenger vehicles, designed to carry two or more passengers and a limited amount of cargo. A few are cargo vehicles, such as trucks or buses, designed to carry large amounts of freight and to be capable of traveling over long distances.
Today, most cars have safety features to protect the passengers in case of a collision. Passengers must fasten their seat belts and children ride in child seats. Most cars also have air conditioning and radios. Some have satellite navigation systems.
Originally, all automobiles were powered by gasoline-fueled engines. But in 1999, hybrids began to be introduced that combine an electric motor with a traditional internal combustion engine to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. The electrical component of the car charges the battery while cruising, and the internal combustion engine takes over for heavy accelerating or climbing hills. Hybrids also offer the option of operating in pure electric mode. This technology has become more popular, as the price of gasoline has risen in recent years. In addition, hybrids do not require a radiator to cool the internal combustion engine. This makes them safer and quieter than conventional vehicles.