Automobiles are complex machines that rely on multiple systems to power, control and steer them. These systems include the engine, drivetrain, chassis, electrical and safety systems. Many people rely on cars to get them where they need to be when they need to be there, and that’s why engineers and scientists have spent years working to improve all aspects of automobiles. Several key technical developments have enabled automobiles to become more fuel efficient and safer than ever before.
The scientific and technological building blocks of the modern automobile go back hundreds of years. Christiaan Huygens invented a type of internal engine fueled by gunpowder in the late 1600s, but it wasn’t until the early 1800s that Siegfried Marcus developed a gasoline-fueled two-stroke internal combustion engine and built the world’s first automobile.
Karl Benz is credited with inventing the modern car around 1885, but other inventors and engineers made improvements before and after him. In the early 1900s, Henry Ford revolutionized production by developing an assembly line that allowed him to turn out thousands of Model Ts each year. His innovation brought the price down to a level where middle-class Americans could afford to purchase them.
The advent of the automobile was a watershed event in American history that changed personal freedom, industrial growth and everyday life. It gave people access to jobs and services that were previously beyond reach. It also encouraged people to move farther from their homes, changing the face of suburbia. Industries sprang up to supply parts and fuel for the automobile, including petroleum and gasoline, rubber and later plastics. Services like gas stations and convenience stores sprang up, too.
During the 1910s and 1920s, there was a push for women to vote and the automobile helped make it happen by giving them the independence and freedom to travel to polling places on their own. This was especially true in rural America where the automobile was most popular.
Today, the car has reached the pinnacle of its evolution as it is no longer a luxury item for the rich and famous but an integral part of daily life for millions of people. Whether it’s getting to work, taking kids to school or going on vacation, the car is used for all kinds of reasons and makes our lives more convenient and enjoyable.
However, the automobile has its problems, too. Millions of people die in traffic accidents every year and emissions from automobiles are a significant pollutant. The automobile is also a big contributor to congestion in cities and it takes up valuable parking space. But most of all, it makes sense for many people to own a car because if time is money, owning one saves lots of it. And that’s why the automobile is still a vital industry worldwide. For many, it’s just not possible to imagine a modern, urban lifestyle without the automobile. That’s why manufacturers continue to innovate new ways to make their vehicles more efficient and safer.