Automobiles – The Most Useful Inventions in History
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Automobiles are wheeled vehicles that use a motor to move. These engines can be powered by oil, gas, electricity or other fuels. They can be driven by people, animals or by a computer. Most cars today are made in factories. They are made of metal, rubber, plastics and glass. Many of these vehicles are designed to run on gasoline, which is a fossil fuel. Some are also designed to run on batteries, which are a renewable resource.
Cars are one of the most useful inventions in history. They let people get to work, go shopping and visit friends and family. They give people more freedom than ever before. In addition, automobiles make it possible to travel long distances and see more of the world.
Scientists and engineers have been working on automotive technology for a long time. These developments include things like safety systems, better fuel economy and cleaner emissions. Many companies have research and development departments. Some of these departments have even designed new types of automobiles.
The first modern automobile was invented by Karl Benz in 1885. Other inventors and engineers followed his lead. The first autos were expensive and only available to wealthy people. But over the next few decades, the automobile became cheaper and more people could afford them.
By the mid-1920s, most Americans owned a car. Autos are still a major part of the American economy. There are about 1.4 billion of them in the world. Most are passenger cars, which can carry up to eight people. Trucks and buses are the other main types of commercial vehicles.
Auto manufacturers try to develop new models of their cars as often as possible. They do this to keep up with competition and to attract customers. The best way to do this is by using a design process called iterative testing. This involves making minor changes to the design until it is perfect. This allows the company to save money on prototypes and produce cars faster.
The design of an automobile depends on a lot of factors, including its speed, size and weight. It also needs to have clear visibility so the driver can safely drive it. The body should be designed to protect the occupants from road debris and other hazards. The vehicle should also have a comfortable ride and good sound system.
In the United States, a large market for automobiles existed because of its vast land area and a wide range of income levels. The low cost of raw materials encouraged the growth of a number of automobile manufacturers. The absence of tariff barriers encouraged sales over a large geographic area.
The demand for automobiles grew until it reached a point of saturation and stagnation. This was accelerated by the imposition of federal standards for automobile safety, emission of pollutants and energy consumption; by escalating prices for petroleum products in response to world oil shocks; and by the penetration of the American market by foreign automobiles—especially Germany’s Volkswagen “Bug” and Japan’s fuel-efficient, functionally designed, well-built small cars.