Automobiles are wheeled vehicles used to transport people and are propelled by a motor. Usually with four wheels and seating for one to seven people, automobiles have a variety of body styles and can be powered by internal combustion engines (using volatile inflammable liquids such as gasoline or petrol), electric motors or steam engines.
The modern car is a marvel of technology and engineering, with tens of thousands of individual parts working together to create the sleek, smooth machines that ply our roads today. But beyond the technological sophistication, the automobile represents a profound change in human culture. It was the automobile that gave rise to our predilection, especially in America, for personal freedom of movement and action. With it came a huge appetite for shopping, driving to work and other activities away from home, and the development of large suburban areas where each family had its own house surrounded by a green lawn.
While the automobile has brought unprecedented levels of convenience and luxury to our lives, it has also come with a great many downsides. Traffic congestion, air pollution and automobile-related accidents have become major problems, and the costs of owning and operating a car can be high. Moreover, there are concerns that the automobile may eventually be outmoded as people begin to prefer more sustainable forms of transportation, such as trains and bicycles.
The automobile was first invented and perfected in Germany and France toward the end of the nineteenth century by Gottlieb Daimler, Karl Benz and Nicolaus Otto. But by the early twentieth century, American manufacturers had taken control of the industry. Henry Ford innovated mass-production techniques, which drove down the price of his Model T until it was within reach for middle-class families.
After World War II, the automobile industry went into a boom period that lasted until the 1970s, when fuel shortages and safety issues prompted manufacturers to rethink their products. Today, there are more than 1.4 billion cars in operation worldwide. More than three trillion miles (five trillion kilometres) are driven by them each year.
A wide range of technical developments are being made to improve the safety, performance and environmental qualities of automobiles. These include improved crash protection, better fuel economy and a range of safety features. Other technical developments are being applied to regenerative braking, active suspension and hybrid technologies.
There is a vast market for these innovations and it is a major objective of automotive companies to keep their products at the forefront of technological advances. This means that there are many opportunities for engineers and scientists to be employed in the automotive industry. The future looks bright for those who can find the right job in this exciting field.