Automobiles are motor vehicles used to transport people and goods. Generally, they are powered by internal combustion of gasoline and have four wheels. They are usually designed to seat one to eight people, and have a body constructed of metal or wood with an enclosed passenger compartment. Several different types of cars are manufactured, including sports cars and trucks. There are also a variety of automobile parts available, as well as car accessories to customize vehicles and make them more comfortable to ride in. Having a car allows drivers to travel long distances with ease, and can open up new job possibilities, or expand a social circle.
During the early 19th century, a number of steam-powered road vehicles were developed. Among the most popular were the phaetons, which were similar to horse-drawn carriages but more luxurious. By the end of the century, however, the automobile had largely replaced these vehicles. In 1886, German inventor Carl Benz invented the first modern car. This was followed by a series of improvements by other manufacturers, and the advent of mass production techniques by U.S. carmaker Henry Ford in 1910. This allowed him to sell his Model T runabout for less than the average annual wage in the United States.
As the automobile grew in popularity, jobs were created to manufacture and service it. Moreover, other industries and businesses sprung up to supply materials such as petroleum and gasoline, rubber and then plastics. Services such as gas stations and convenience stores also became commonplace. This helped create more jobs in the transportation industry, and contributed to the expansion of the economy.
The automobile also had a major impact on society in the 1910s and 1920s. It helped to give women a chance to work outside of the home, such as in factories and other jobs that were traditionally reserved for men. In addition, it gave women a sense of independence and freedom that they had not had before. During this time, there was also a push for women to vote and the automobile was used to promote this. Women drove around with “votes for women” banners on their cars, which was a big change in American culture.
The era of the annually restyled road cruiser ended with federal standards for automotive safety, emissions of pollutants and energy consumption; with escalating oil prices after the oil shocks of 1973 and 1979; and with the penetration of both the U.S. and world markets by foreign manufacturers of fuel-efficient, functionally designed, well-built small cars. These developments spelled the beginning of the end for the American-made sedan as the dominant vehicle type, and the start of the age of the compact car. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, sales of sedans had started to decline. This trend continued into the present decade, with compact and midsized vehicles now dominating the market. Large SUVs and minivans are also becoming more common. In the future, it is expected that these trends will continue, as the demand for larger vehicles declines and consumers move toward smaller, more fuel-efficient models.
