Automobiles are wheeled vehicles that carry passengers and are powered by an internal combustion engine. Most definitions specify that automobiles run primarily on roads, have four wheels, and transport people rather than cargo.
The scientific and technical building blocks of the automobile go back several hundred years. In the late 1600s, Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens designed a type of internal engine sparked by gunpowder. But it was not until the early 1900s that these engines became commercially successful, and the first gas-powered automobiles appeared. The cars were a revolution in transportation, allowing people to travel far and wide for work, school, and play. They also opened up new jobs, such as sales and service for automobiles and gasoline stations.
OPENS UP THE WORLD: One of the main advantages of having an automobile is that it saves you time. Traveling from one place to another takes a lot of time. Having your own car allows you to spend more time doing things that you love and also helps you save money on traveling expenses.
The automobile boosted American manufacturing and helped the United States become a global economic leader. Cheap raw materials and the absence of tariff barriers encouraged American companies to produce cars in larger numbers at lower prices than European competitors. In addition, Henry Ford pioneered mass production techniques that lowered the cost of producing each car. Despite these positive effects, the automobile has its drawbacks. Automobiles are a source of pollution and greenhouse gases, as well as being expensive to purchase, maintain, and operate.
