Automobiles convey a sense of freedom and movement, as well as style and status. However, they also leave a large footprint on the environment. The manufacturing process is highly resource intensive, and the materials that go into each vehicle consume a lot of energy before they ever reach the open road. These materials include steel, glass, rubber, plastics and paints. This is why it’s important to make sure that cars are built as efficiently as possible.
There are a variety of automobiles on the market, including trucks, passenger cars and racing vehicles. Specialized automobiles are designed for specific uses, such as ambulances, fire engines and police cars. Those that are driven on highways or in other high-speed environments require robust systems that can withstand severe overloads and intense operating conditions. Other factors that influence vehicle design include engine performance, fuel efficiency and comfort features for passengers.
The automobile revolutionized society by allowing people to travel long distances for work or pleasure. As a result, new industries developed to meet the demands of car owners. For example, petroleum and gas companies grew to supply the demand for gasoline. Industries that produced rubber and then plastics grew as well. Service industries like convenience stores sprang up to serve the needs of motorists.
Initially, cars were expensive and only available to the rich. Then, Henry Ford introduced the assembly line and made production cost-efficient, lowering the price of the Model T to the point where middle-class families could afford it. By the 1920s, the American auto industry was a dominant force in the world. After World War II, manufacturers expanded their operations to global regions such as Europe and Japan.
With a reliable automobile, families with limited incomes could visit places they would not have been able to explore on foot or by train. As a result, many families became more mobile and developed a sense of freedom that they had never experienced before. People living in urban areas discovered pristine landscapes, and those who lived in rural areas were able to shop in town. In addition, teenagers gained independence and drove themselves to school and friends’ houses. The automobile was a powerful tool for family-building, and the popularity of the automobile led to increased demand for licensure and safety regulations at state levels.
Other social changes facilitated by the automobile included a drive for women’s rights. During the 1910s and 1920s, there was a campaign for women to have the right to vote, and women often carried “votes for women” banners on their cars as they drove. This campaign helped to increase the number of women who owned cars.
