Automobiles are complex machines that combine multiple systems to power, control and steer the vehicle. They also provide comfort for the passengers and carry the load of cargo. They are made of many parts including the engine, chassis, suspension and body. The engine produces the power that turns the wheels and electricity for lights and other functions. The other parts are connected to the engine by a drive train which transfers the power to the wheels. Different parts are designed for different uses such as heavy trucks at construction sites or cars for cruising along highways.
Towards the end of the 19th century, German scientists, such as Nikolaus Otto, Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz began to develop petrol-driven automobiles. By 1900, they had outstripped steam-powered vehicles and battery-powered electric cars that could only run a short distance and needed recharging.
The invention of the car allowed people to go where they want, when they want without having to depend on other people. It gave them a sense of personal freedom and created new industries. In addition to this, it gave women the ability to travel independently because they did not have to rely on men for transport.
The development of the automobile revolutionized the world. It is impossible to imagine modern life without an automobile. There are more than 1.4 billion of them in operation around the world today, and they travel over three trillion miles (five trillion kilometres) each year. It is estimated that they create millions of jobs around the world in factories, gas stations, restaurants and motels where travelers stop at. However, the automobile is a double-edged sword; it causes millions of deaths each year in traffic accidents and pollutes the environment.
