Automobiles (or cars) are a type of vehicle that is used for transportation. They have four wheels, an internal combustion engine, and are fueled most often by gasoline, a liquid petroleum product. The automobile was invented in the late 1800s and has had a profound effect on American society.
The automobile is a symbol of modern technology and symbolizes the promise, but also the pitfalls, of the new industrial age. It has revolutionized the way people live by giving them greater freedom and access to jobs, places of entertainment, and services. It has also created industries and jobs related to the manufacture, maintenance, and repair of the vehicles, as well as other products like fuel and rubber and plastics.
Early inventors developed automobiles using steam, electric power, and internal combustion engines. The modern automobile was first patented in 1886 by Karl Benz for his Benz Patent-Motorwagen. Later Gottlieb Daimler and Nicolaus Otto improved on the design and made a car with an internal combustion flat engine that was both reliable and efficient.
Some women even drove around in automobiles in the early 1900s with “votes for women” banners to advocate for suffrage rights. It was pretty daring for women at the time, but it helped them get their message out and show that they were capable of being independent and making their own choices. Today, the automobile is one of the most common forms of transport, with more than 73 million new vehicles being produced worldwide in 2017. It has become an integral part of American culture and lifestyle.