Automobiles are the modern day mode of transportation that allows people to travel long distances. These vehicles are powered by an internal combustion engine fueled most commonly with gasoline. It is one of the most widely used modern technologies and it has had a huge impact on our society. Automobiles have transformed our daily lives and helped to create new jobs and industries that would not have existed without them. There are many benefits that come with having a car, and these include freedom and independence. When you own a vehicle, you can travel anywhere you want, at your own pace, and you don’t have to worry about missing your bus stop or getting stuck in traffic. Having a car also gives you the opportunity to save money on transport costs and spend more time with your family.
The automobile revolutionized American life in countless ways, helping to build a middle class and providing access to places for leisure activities that were previously impossible. It brought with it new services such as motels, hotels, amusement parks and restaurants. It was also a major force for change, leading to the development of highways and new laws such as safety features, driver’s licenses, and highway rules. On the downside, it caused harm to the environment by releasing pollutants such as exhaust and contributing to sprawl and loss of undeveloped land.
The first modern cars were built in the late 19th century, but they did not become widely available until after World War I. They were expensive and required a lot of maintenance, but as the technology improved and the middle class expanded, automobiles became more affordable to the average American. By the 1920s, they were the backbone of a new consumer goods-oriented society, and their consumption helped to develop ancillary industries such as steel, petroleum, and other manufacturing.
By the 1930s, the auto industry dominated the American economy. It ranked first in value of production and provided one out of every six jobs in the country. It also benefited from a lower tax rate and less regulation than other industries. The high unit profits that Detroit made on gas-guzzling road cruisers came with a price, however—a drain on dwindling energy resources and a cost to the environment.
After World War II, engineers subordinated design to questionable aesthetics, and quality deteriorated to the point that by the 1970s most automobiles were being sold with twenty-four defects per car, including safety-related problems. In addition, the automobile industry shifted from an efficient mass producer to an inefficient manufacturer. This was due to the growing popularity of smaller, less expensive imported automobiles. Eventually, the automobile industry began to lose market share to these imports and to newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles. Today, the auto industry is undergoing another transformation. It is becoming increasingly reliant on electronic media and new forms of automation. It is melding into an age that may be called the Age of the Robot.
