Automobiles are wheeled vehicles that carry their own motor and are used primarily to transport people rather than cargo. Currently there are more than 590 million automobiles in the world, including 140 million passenger cars. The modern automobile consists of many complex technical systems that work together to drive the vehicle. These subsystems employ thousands of components that have specific design functions and evolved from breakthroughs in technology such as electronic computers, high strength plastics, and new alloys of steel and nonferrous metals.
The first true automobile was invented by Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot of France in 1769. However, these early automobiles did not have a wheel system. The earliest cars were either steam or electric powered but had many drawbacks. Steam cars had to be hauled on rails and were slow moving. Electric cars were easy to operate but needed to be recharged and could only go a short distance before they ran out of power.
In 1886 German inventor Karl Benz began promoting his car, which was also powered by an internal combustion engine. This engine was not only more powerful but was also much easier to operate than a horse and carriage.
Ford revolutionized the car industry in 1908 with his Model T, which was produced at a low price and was easy to operate. This was a significant development because prior to this time only wealthy individuals owned cars and the mass production methods that Ford employed allowed more people to afford the luxury of having their own personal transportation.
After World War II the automakers concentrated on producing for the war effort and production of automobiles slowed considerably. In addition, market saturation occurred at the same time as technological stagnation so that innovations were slower and less dramatic than they had been prior to World War II.
Postwar issues included nonfunctional styling and quality deterioration, as well as questions about the social impact of the ‘gas guzzling’ cars that were favored by American manufacturers and the economic cost of draining the world’s dwindling oil reserves. These factors opened the market to foreign automobiles from Germany and Japan.
Today there are many different kinds of automobiles available in a variety of sizes and prices. Some have SUV-like capabilities and practicality while others are designed for performance such as the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata which is a little sports car with a big heart and a wonderful warranty. There are also hybrids, which offer the best of both worlds of fuel efficiency and sportiness. Finally, there are compact sedans that combine car-like handling with the spaciousness and off-road capability of an SUV. In any case, having a personal transportation device gives people the freedom to travel where they want and when they want without having to rely on others. This independence and freedom is an important part of living a happy life. Whether it is a road trip to see family or going out for the night with friends, having a car means you never have to worry about missing that flight or having to wait for a bus.
