An automobile, also known as a car, is a wheeled motor vehicle for passenger transportation that is powered most commonly by gasoline (see Oil). Almost all modern cars are designed to carry several passengers at a time. Many people can’t imagine a life without an automobile, and millions of jobs depend on the industry.
The scientific and technical building blocks for the modern car go back hundreds of years. A Dutch scientist, Christiaan Huygens, invented a type of internal engine sparked by gunpowder in the late 1600s. By the end of the 19th century three main types of automobiles had emerged. Steam-powered road vehicles could reach high speeds but they had a short range and were difficult to start. Battery-powered electric cars had a 38 percent share of the United States automobile market in 1900, but they too had a limited range and recharging stations were scarce. Automobiles powered by the new internal combustion engines, which used fuel to make a piston move up and down in a cylinder, were far more popular.
The invention of the assembly line made it possible to produce automobiles more inexpensively. Then the development of better tyres, brakes and other mechanical systems improved car performance. New fuels such as kerosene and gasoline enabled cars to travel longer distances at higher speeds. The first automobile races, which were often dangerous, helped to popularize the new form of transport.
Modern cars are extremely complicated machines. All the systems in a car work together to power and control the car and keep its passengers comfortable. A modern car uses many different parts, including the body, chassis, engine, transmission, steering, lights and electrical system. Engineers and scientists continually strive to improve these components, as well as to develop alternative energy sources for automobiles.
Some experts think that the automobile of the future may become computerized and drive itself. Using radar and other sensors, these “autonomous” vehicles would monitor the road and be programmed to follow a set of traffic rules. They could even slow or speed up to avoid obstacles.
The most obvious benefit of an automobile is independence and freedom. Owning a car means being able to leave home whenever you want, and travel anywhere you wish. It also gives you the flexibility to decide what route to take. You can travel alone, with family or friends. If you’re driving a fast sports car, it becomes a work of art; a vehicle that showcases the very best in human engineering.
In addition, many people own a car because it saves them money and helps them to stay fit. A study by a leading insurance company found that drivers who own a car are less likely to smoke and have a lower risk of heart disease than those who don’t. Moreover, owning a car makes it easy to shop for bargains, or to run errands, such as getting food or going to the bank. Those who don’t own cars have to rely on public transportation or on friends and family for rides, which can be inconvenient at times.