Automobiles are vehicles used for transporting passengers, usually with four wheels. They have an internal combustion engine, powered most commonly by gasoline (petrol), a liquid petroleum product. Known as cars in most countries, they are the world’s most common mode of passenger transportation. They also create jobs, especially in the factories that manufacture them and in the service industries like gas stations, restaurants and motels where people stop to use them. The automobile gives many people a sense of freedom and independence because they can travel without having to depend on others. However, automobiles can also create problems. They can be dangerous if they crash, and their exhaust pollutes the environment. Automobiles also cause traffic congestion, and parking space is limited in city centers where they are most often used.
The scientific and technological building blocks of the automobile go back hundreds of years. Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens invented a type of internal combustion engine that ran on gunpowder in the late 1600s. The modern automotive vehicle was developed by the end of the 1800s, fueled by gasoline or other fossil fuels.
Americans came to dominate the industry in the first half of the 20th century, thanks to Henry Ford’s innovation of mass production techniques and the rise of large car companies such as Ford, General Motors and Chrysler. Automobile production also grew in other parts of the world as manufacturers funneled resources into military equipment for World War II. After the war, intense marketing strategies and newly built roads and highways made the automotive industry a global enterprise by 1980.
A key ingredient in the success of automobiles is cheap raw materials. The United States has a huge land area and a large population, so it was natural that American-made vehicles would be in great demand. In addition, the absence of tariff barriers encouraged auto manufacturers to produce cars in large volumes at lower prices than European models.
During the early 1900s, automobiles began to become more comfortable. Steel bodies became standard, and heaters were added to keep passengers warm. As the century progressed, power steering and power brakes were introduced, making driving easier. Automatic controls for windows and seats were also added.
Today, automobiles have become even more popular than before. In 2011, some 59 million different automobiles were produced worldwide. They vary in size and style, but all are built from the same basic components. These include the body, chassis, engine, drivetrain, control systems and electrical equipment. The engine is usually gasoline-powered, but can be diesel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, hydrogen, helium or any other suitable fuel.
Automobiles have revolutionized society in many ways, from giving people more personal freedom and boosting the economy to creating new leisure activities and services such as motels, hotels, restaurants and amusement parks. They have also created more employment in factories and service industries, as well as in the construction of roads and highways. Despite these benefits, many people oppose the automobile because of safety issues and the damage to the environment caused by its use.