Automobiles are wheeled vehicles designed for the transport of passengers. They are propelled by an internal combustion engine, usually using gasoline or diesel fuel. The modern automobile is a complex technical system with thousands of component parts. Its design depends to a large extent on its intended use. For example, automobiles for off-road use typically require robust, simple systems with high resistance to severe overloads and extremes in operating conditions. On the other hand, automobiles for highway transport must be more comfortable and have optimized high-speed handling and vehicle stability.
In the past, people travelled by foot or on horse-drawn carriages. Later, some people started to build self-propelled vehicles powered by steam engines or water turbines. A Frenchman named Ferdinand Verbiest may have built the first steam powered automobile in 1672. Other early self-propelled cars were harbor dredge scows with steam engines attached in the 18th century. Oliver Evans, an American inventor, was credited with inventing the first successful American automobile in 1789, when he created a steam-powered version of his “Amphibious Digger” that could travel on wheels on land and via paddle wheels in the water.
The automobile revolutionized society and made it possible to travel long distances. It allowed people to move more freely and to change jobs more easily. This helped create jobs and industries that depended on the automobile, such as gas stations and convenience stores. It also brought new leisure activities and social changes, such as more families spending time together. It also increased personal freedom and led to political movements, such as the push for women’s suffrage in America.
Automobiles are used for transportation purposes because they offer comfort, convenience and speed compared to other means of transport. They can be driven by the driver, by a passenger or by a hired driver. Depending on their size, they can accommodate up to eight or more passengers. Some have leather seats or other soft seating surfaces, while others have hard plastic or wood seats.
All modern automobiles have brakes to stop them quickly in an emergency or to slow them down when parked. Some have regenerative brakes that convert the energy from stopping into electricity to power the car’s electrical system.
Automobiles are one of the world’s most popular modes of transportation, and they are a significant contributor to air pollution. The global consumption of petroleum, natural gas and other fossil fuels for automobiles has contributed to climate change. Automobiles are also a significant source of noise and vibration. Many places that have a lot of automobiles have public transportation, such as buses, trains (steam-powered, diesel-powered or monorail), trams and subways, which can get people from one place to another more quickly and cheaply than an automobile can. There are also people who choose to forgo owning an automobile and rely instead on public transport, ride-sharing services or taxis. However, the cost of these options is often higher than that of owning an automobile.
