Automobiles are a crucial part of the world we live in. They allow us to travel from one place to another and provide the freedom that allows our modern society to operate as it does. Modern automobiles are a complex collection of many subsystems that work together to realize the safe transportation of the vehicle’s occupants. These systems are a combination of mechanical, electrical, and chemical components that are constantly being improved by the automotive industry and by independent inventors.
The history of the automobile began in the late 1800s with Gottlieb Daimler’s improvement of a two-stroke internal combustion engine fueled by gasoline. Daimler’s early vehicles were a mixture of horse carriages and carts with his engine fitted into the chassis. Emile Levassor and Armand Peugeot of France soon produced automobiles with Daimler engines.
In the United States, the availability of inexpensive raw materials and a tradition of industrial manufacturing helped the automobile become affordable for middle-class families. The vast size of the country also ensured great demand for this new mode of transportation.
When the automobile came of age, it ushered in an era of unprecedented social change. Families were able to explore the countryside, discovering pristine landscapes that had been unknown to them before. The automobile encouraged family vacations and facilitated the expansion of urban communities into rural areas. Teenagers found the car an opportunity to expand their social lives with new freedom and independence. And dating couples discovered that a car was an ideal place for intimate encounters.
Despite the positive social changes that the automobile brought about, the new technology did have some drawbacks. Traffic congestion, air pollution, and the risk of accidents and fatalities prompted demands for licensure and safety regulations at the state level. The automobile’s impact on the environment has also been a major concern, with increasing calls for stricter fuel efficiency standards.
The modern automobile is a complicated machine that consists of thousands of individual parts. Like the human body, it is divided into several semi-independent systems that perform related functions. The engine-the “heart” of the automobile-consists of pistons, cylinders, and tubes to deliver lubricating oil and gasoline to them. These systems, along with an electric starter motor and a battery, are necessary for the automobile to move. The vehicle’s suspension system, which consists of springs and shock absorbers, is essential for keeping the automobile in contact with the road. This system also absorbs the shocks and bumps of the road surface and reduces noise. The brakes are another vital component of the automobile, allowing it to come to a stop quickly. In some cars, the brakes are controlled by a computer that monitors the driver’s actions and can detect dangerous driving habits. In such cases, the brakes can automatically shut off the engine and apply the brakes. This is a safety feature that can help prevent accidents and reduce the chances of a rollback accident. In the future, the computer may even be able to steer the vehicle for the driver.