Automobiles are motor vehicles that use chemical energy to turn the wheels of the vehicle. Energy can come from many sources, including gasoline or electrical energy stored in a battery. The amount of energy that is sent to the wheels and how quickly it is sent are measured in kilowatts or horsepower.
The automobile is one of the most influential inventions of the twentieth century. It became the backbone of a new consumer goods-oriented society and boosted demand for steel, petroleum, and other products. It also revolutionized transportation by enabling people to travel longer distances with greater speed and comfort. In the United States, the automotive industry provided a sixth of all jobs by 1982.
Most historians give Karl Benz of Germany credit for creating the first true automobile in 1885. However, he was not the only inventor working to develop a self-propelled transport vehicle in the late 19th century. Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot, Emile Levassor, Armand Peugeot, and Auguste Doriot are also credited with developing automobiles.
A car is a motor vehicle intended to carry the driver and a small number of additional passengers. It can also be used to transport cargo. A vehicle devoted solely to carrying cargo is called a truck, van, or bus. The word “automobile” comes from French for “self-propelled” and is derived from the Ancient Greek autos (auto, meaning “self”) and Latin mobilus (“movable”).
The automobile has opened up huge opportunities for the growth of many industries. The steel and oil industries were highly profitable in the 1920s, for example, because of automobile production. However, the automobile’s demands for these and other resources also created problems such as pollution and dependence on foreign supplies of essential fuels.
By the early 20th century, modern life had begun to seem inconceivable, or at least highly inconvenient, without the convenience of an automobile. The automobile became an indispensable part of daily life for most people in the developed world, and its development has continued into the 21st century.
Although there are still some limitations, the automobile has greatly increased people’s freedom to move from place to place and interact with others. This is especially important for those who live in rural areas or locations with little public transit options. Having an automobile allows individuals to reach destinations that are far away from their home and to explore new places at their own pace.
In addition, the automobile has enabled people to work from home and pursue careers in a wide range of fields. For example, in 1916 two women, Nell Richardson and Alice Burke, drove around the country promoting women’s suffrage by decorating their automobile with slogans such as “votes for women”. These are just a few examples of how the automobile has improved people’s lives.