Automobiles – The Promise and Pitfalls of Our Time
The modern automobile is an icon of the promise and pitfalls of our time. It is a self-propelled passenger vehicle with four to eight wheels for land transport, powered by an internal combustion engine that uses gasoline (or sometimes diesel or other fuels) as the primary source of energy. Automobiles are a vital part of our lives and there are several branches of engineering that focus on their manufacture and technologies.
The first car was built in the late 1860s by Siegfried Marcus, who fitted a handcart with a two-stroke engine that used liquid gasoline as fuel. Gottlieb Daimler built a more refined version of the automobile in 1885, incorporating several innovations, including a four-stroke, liquid-fueled engine and a rotary design. During its first test, however, the tank hose came loose and the vehicle exploded.
Throughout the 19th century, industrial manufacturing techniques developed to allow for the mass production of automobiles at affordable prices. The automobile transformed everyday life and gave people more freedom than ever before. It created new industries and jobs and made many activities more convenient by allowing people to travel more quickly than on foot or by horse-drawn carriage.
Today, cars come in many shapes and sizes and have a wide range of features. They are more powerful and faster than ever before, handle better and keep occupants safer. They can also be customized with heated seats and killer sound systems. And if you have kids, owning a car gives you the flexibility to get them where they need to go without worrying about being on time for school or appointments.