Whether driving to work or taking a road trip with your family, an automobile makes it possible to travel long distances quickly and easily. The automobile is the most common means of transportation, and it has revolutionized people’s lives.
Basically, an automobile is any vehicle that uses chemical energy in gasoline or electrical energy in a battery to turn its wheels. The speed at which an automobile turns its wheels and the amount of energy it can send to them is called its power, usually measured in kilowatts or horsepower. An automobile’s engine or motor must also be able to turn its wheels at high speeds without the vehicle breaking apart, which is why every automobile has brakes that slow or stop the car as needed.
Automobiles are often driven by humans, but there are also many types of machines that can drive them — such as airplanes and trains. Trucks, buses, limousines, and even motorcycles can be considered automobiles if they have four wheels.
History credits Karl Benz of Germany with inventing the modern automobile, which used a four-stroke internal combustion engine. Benz patented his Benz Patent-Motorwagen in 1885, and he started to produce vehicles for the public in 1888. Eventually, Henry Ford would develop industrial manufacturing techniques that made cars more affordable for middle-class families.
THE AUTOMOBILE CHANGED PEOPLE’S LIVES:
The automobile helped people find jobs, live farther from their families and friends, and access new places. This meant more opportunities and larger social circles, and it also spawned services like gas stations, convenience stores, hotels, restaurants, amusement parks, and fast food places. However, automobiles also brought problems like pollution and accidents. They required better roads and created the need for laws to protect people.
Having your own automobile saves time compared to using public transportation. Being able to cross town in just a few minutes saves you time on your daily commute, shopping trips, or visiting friends and family. You can then use that extra time to relax or do other activities.
The first automobiles were powered by steam engines attached to wagons in the late 18th century, but electric and gasoline internal combustion vehicles became dominant in the 1910s. Other innovations included electric ignition, automatic transmission, and four-wheel brakes. There have been attempts to make pistonless rotary engines, but they never gained a foothold in the automotive industry.
A typical automobile has a driver’s seat, two passenger seats, and room for cargo in the back. Some models also have a third row, which allows more passengers. The most popular models in the United States are sedans and SUVs. The SUVs are a little bigger than the sedans, and they typically have more cargo space. The Toyota Sienna is a good example of an SUV that has a third row and plenty of room for passengers and cargo. The Sienna has an efficient hybrid engine and a sleek interior. The car’s exterior looks good, too. It has a lot of standard and optional features.