Automobiles are vehicles that run primarily on roads and transport people rather than cargo. Generally, automobiles have four wheels and can carry one to eight people. Most use an internal combustion engine to generate power and drive the wheels. The most common fuel is gasoline (petrol), but many use natural gas, electricity, or other sources of power. The automobile is considered a modern invention, but its roots go back several hundred years.
Early automobiles were largely a novelty and had few practical uses. Breakdowns were frequent, fuel was expensive or difficult to find, and roads suitable for traveling were limited. However, the automobile became more useful after Bertha Benz drove her husband’s car across Europe in 1888 and Horatio Nelson Jackson made the first transcontinental crossing in 1903 on a Winton. In the United States, Henry Ford pioneered mass production techniques with his Model T, which reduced the price of the automobile and brought it within reach of most middle-class families.
The automobile has transformed society and changed the way people live. For the first time in history, people could move freely and quickly between cities and regions. Families enjoyed more leisure time, often spending vacations in pristine countryside away from home. Businesses grew to serve new markets and expand operations, which led to more jobs. Industries developed to produce automobile parts and materials, such as petroleum and gasoline, rubber, and plastics. Services such as garages and convenience stores grew to meet the needs of motorists.
Today, the automobile is an essential part of the infrastructure of most nations and the backbone of the global economy. More than 4.8 trillion kilometers, or three trillion miles, are driven annually on the world’s roads. Most of these trips are by private automobiles. The automobile’s influence is far-reaching and can be felt in business, culture, education, and even family life.
For some, the automobile is a symbol of personal freedom and independence. Ownership of an automobile allows its owners to travel to work, school, or social functions without depending on others or public transportation systems. The ability to choose when and where to go also helps people save money by not having to pay for taxi fares or public bus tickets. It can also help build credit, since making regular payments on an automobile loan shows lenders that the borrower is responsible.
There are downsides to the automobile, including air pollution and traffic congestion. Automobiles can become dangerous if they are driven recklessly or if the driver is too old or inexperienced to operate them safely. The automobile can cause injuries or deaths if it crashes. It can also be a nuisance when too many cars use the same routes at the same times, which causes traffic jams and delays for everyone. The automobile can also be a source of stress for some drivers, especially those who have trouble handling the responsibility and expense of owning and maintaining a vehicle.
Despite these disadvantages, most people think that the automobile is a worthwhile invention. As a result, most people make the decision to buy their own automobiles.