Automobiles are vehicles that use an internal combustion engine to power themselves. They also use various other systems to control and operate the vehicle.
There have been a lot of advances in the automobile industry since its creation in the late 19th century. These advancements have changed how people think about transportation and created new industries.
The first automobiles were steam or electric powered but the modern car uses gasoline. Exactly who invented the automobile is debated but several inventors were responsible for making it what it is today. Karl Benz is often given credit for the first true automobile in 1885 but Gottlieb Daimler, Nikolaus Otto, and Emile Levassor all had a part in the evolution of cars.
During the early 20th century automobile production was dominated by the United States and Henry Ford. He introduced the assembly line which allowed for mass production of cars. This kept the price of cars down to a level that most Americans could afford them.
This allowed for many people to travel long distances which opened up a lot of opportunities for jobs and businesses. It also allowed for women to be able to work in careers that were traditionally held by men. During this time there was also a push for women to vote and the automobile helped to make that happen.
As the automobile continued to evolve into a more modern form it began to be criticized for its environmental impact as well as its nonfunctional styling. Concerns arose about how much gasoline these vehicles consumed and the draining of the world’s oil reserves.