Automobiles are vehicles for human transport, powered by an internal combustion engine fueled most often by gasoline (petrol), though other fuels, such as natural gas and electricity, have been used. Originally known as motorcars, automobiles are among the most universal of modern technologies and are the basis for many other industries, such as the manufacture of components and parts. The automobile revolutionized transportation in the United States and throughout much of the world, opening up new opportunities for people to work, play, and live.
No one person can be credited with the invention of the automobile, which developed bit by bit from the ideas, imagination, fantasy, and tinkering of hundreds of individuals over centuries. However, two 18th-century Germans, Carl Benz and Gottlich Wilhelm Daimler, who worked separately, and at almost the same time, have been largely credited with pioneering the first successful motorized vehicles.
Benz’s creation, an awkward and frail three-wheeled carriage with a tubular framework, incorporated a number of important features. It had an electrical ignition system, mechanical valves, a carburetor, and oil and grease cups for lubrication. Unlike Daimler’s, which was mounted on a bicycle, Benz’s engine was a four-stroke, gasoline-fueled, internal-combustion engine. Despite its clumsiness, the Benz car set a standard of excellence that later engineers would strive to match.
Daimler’s engine had a number of advantages over the Benz vehicle, including better efficiency and speed. In addition, Daimler’s car was able to carry more passengers and cover greater distances than a horse-drawn carriage could. Daimler also patented several improvements that would later be incorporated into other vehicles.
Regardless of the fact that many die-hard horse-lovers looked at the automobile with a snicker, it became obvious that it was here to stay. As more middle-class Americans could afford to buy cars, they did, and the Automobile Age began.
While the automobile changed the way Americans lived, worked, and played, it also opened up new opportunities for families to travel and spend quality time together. Families could now travel long distances to visit relatives and friends, making vacations and family reunions more convenient and affordable. People with flexible schedules were able to travel and seek out more professional employment opportunities, expanding their social circles as well as their career options.
The automobile allowed for more efficient use of public and private resources, providing new and innovative ways to serve our country and the world. For example, mass production techniques, originally developed for the automobile industry, have been adapted to nearly every industry, allowing the efficient manufacturing of many products.
Having your own automobile allows you to travel anywhere, at any time, with the convenience of a personal vehicle and the privacy that comes with it. You can also have complete control over maintenance, speed and driving habits, ensuring that you and your loved ones are safe at all times. It’s no wonder that many families consider their automobiles to be extensions of their home. This is particularly true if you have children.