Automobiles are an iconic part of American culture. From the sleek Model T Fords that dominated the world market in 1908 to the artful mid-century modern designs that cruised U.S. highways in the 1950s, our nation’s very growth into an industrial powerhouse revolved around automobiles. Having your own car gives you the freedom to go where you want, when you want, without having to rely on friends or public transportation. However, owning your own vehicle isn’t cheap. It can cost thousands of dollars to buy and maintain a new vehicle. And there is always the risk of car accidents and roadside breakdowns.
The Scientific and technical building blocks for the automobile began with the invention of internal combustion engines, developed by Christiaan Huygens in the late 1600s. However, it was Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot of France who constructed the first true automobile in 1769 using a steam powered system that could hold four people and run for 20 minutes at a speed of 2.25 miles per hour.
By the end of the 19th century German engineers Nikolaus Otto, Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz had created petrol driven cars but it was Henry Ford who revolutionized car production by introducing the assembly line and the Model T. These innovative methods allowed automobile manufacturers to make cars in mass quantity and thus lower the price for the consumer. The United States, with a vast land area and many isolated communities had far more demand for automobiles than Europe did which also contributed to the rapid expansion of American car-making.
Today, the automobile is a complex technological system with many subsystems that have specific design functions. Many of these have evolved from breakthroughs in technology that include electronic computers, high-strength plastics and new alloys of steel and nonferrous metals. Other innovations are being fueled by new safety laws, environmental concerns and competition among automobile manufacturers worldwide.
Although many of us think that the automobile is an important and useful invention that has helped to shape modern life, others see its downsides, ranging from traffic jams and air pollution to car accidents and deaths. Some argue that the automobile is unsustainable as oil supplies dwindle and the need to develop alternative forms of transport increases.
Even if you don’t own your own automobile, there is a lot to love about the automobile. It allows you to visit places that are impossible to get to by foot or public transport. It has brought families together on long road trips that would have been impractical otherwise. Families have been able to rediscover pristine landscapes and explore natural wonders. Teenagers can use their cars to explore and expand their social horizons, and dating couples have found a portable place for intimate moments. But a good number of drivers realize that the car comes with its own drawbacks including traffic jams, traffic accidents and deadly emissions. The automobile may not be the perfect mode of transport but it is still a popular choice for millions of people.