Automobiles are vehicles that can be driven from place to place and used to transport people and goods. They have become an integral part of our daily lives and provide us with many benefits such as freedom of movement, safety and security. They also help to create new businesses such as gas stations, restaurants and hotels. The automobile has brought changes to society and has led to the creation of a number of new laws such as seat belts, speed limits and traffic signals. There are also a number of environmental problems associated with automobiles such as pollution and the draining of oil reserves.
The scientific and technical building blocks of the modern automobile began to develop in the late 1700s and early 1800s. It was not until 1885 that the first gas powered car was invented by Karl Benz. This was a major milestone in automobile history because it opened up the possibility of mass production and created a completely new industry.
After the invention of the automobile, several different companies entered the market and tried to out compete each other. The Ford Motor Company was a leader in this effort because it was the first to reconcile state-of-the-art design with moderate price. The Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal called the four-cylinder, fifteen-horsepower, $600 Model N of 1906-1907 “the very first instance of a low-priced motorcar with modern design and good workmanship.”
As the demand for automobiles increased in the United States, more roads were developed to enable people to travel long distances. This created the need for more services such as hotels and motels to accommodate the travelers. Restaurants also began to offer fast food which could be consumed on the go.
During the 1910s and 1920s there was a push for women’s rights to vote which meant that more women needed access to cars. They used them to travel to work, socialize and even campaign for their cause. In 1916 two women made a pretty bold move by driving across the country with “votes for women” banners on their cars. This helped to change the course of history and eventually led to the 19th Amendment to the U.S Constitution which allowed women to vote.
Cars have continued to evolve with new technological developments. The most recent ones include computerized systems that can monitor and control a vehicle’s speed, engine performance, fuel economy and safety features. The future of the automobile will most likely focus on hybrid, electric and autonomous cars as societies begin to shift away from fossil fuels.
A lot of Gen Y’s are getting out from behind the wheel and walking, taking public transit if it is available to them or carpooling with friends instead of owning their own cars. Owning a car has its benefits however, such as being self-reliant and not having to depend on others for transportation. There are also many places that public transportation does not reach and therefore owning a car may be the only way to get there.