Automobiles are wheeled vehicles that are designed mainly for the transport of people. They use internal combustion engines powered by gasoline or another liquid fuel and are built on a frame that supports the other major parts of the vehicle.
Among the most important of modern technologies, automobiles have changed the way many people live and work. They have allowed people to travel long distances quickly and easily and have opened up new opportunities for jobs, recreation, and education. However, they also have brought pollution and other environmental problems. The development of the automobile has been a complex process.
In the early 1900s, more and more Americans could afford to buy automobiles. This helped the middle class grow and allowed people to enjoy more leisure activities. Some of these new activities included traveling and spending time with friends and family. Others included going to movies, playing sports, and eating at restaurants or fast food joints. In addition, the automobile allowed people to move between cities and rural areas.
The first true automobile was a steam-powered machine made by Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot of France in 1769. It had three wheels and used steam to power a crank to drive the vehicle forward. This car was heavy and moved slowly. Later manufacturers produced cars that ran on steam, electricity, or a combination of both.
Karl Benz of Germany is generally credited with inventing the automobile in 1885, although earlier accounts sometimes gave him credit for the idea. His vehicle, which had no seats, was powered by a two-stroke internal combustion engine. The engine burned a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, which created energy. It was not as efficient as later engines, and he did not produce any more of these crude automobiles.
The modern automobile is a complex machine with hundreds of moving parts. The body, or shell, is the outer part of the automobile that contains most of the mechanical parts. It is often made of steel, but other materials, including fiberglass and plastic, are also used. The chassis is the inner frame that holds the other major parts of the car together. The engine, steering system, and brakes are all connected to the chassis. A driver operates the vehicle by pressing on pedals to make the car move and turn the steering wheel to control its direction.
Modern cars are powered primarily by gasoline, but some use other fuels, such as ethanol and batteries. Some are even hybrids, which combine the fuel-efficient qualities of a traditional passenger car with the environmental benefits of an electric motor. In the 21st century, cars have become a leading cause of air pollution and global warming because they release large amounts of harmful gases when they burn gasoline. However, innovations such as catalytic converters and new types of gasoline are helping to reduce the problem. Some automakers have also developed cars that run on other types of energy, such as fusion and electric power.