Automobiles are a vehicle that uses an internal combustion engine and burns fuel to move. Mostly they are four-wheeled and designed to transport passengers. Most automobiles use petrol (or gas) but some have other types of fuel such as diesel or electric. Automobiles come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit different purposes. They can be used for work, leisure, or both and can include emergency vehicles such as fire engines and ambulances.
Invented in the late 1800s, the automobile symbolizes both the promise and pitfalls of modern life. Initially these four-wheeled motor vehicles were powered by steam and later by electricity. The automobile revolutionized personal transportation in the United States and around the world. For many families it became the primary means of family travel. Families were able to go on vacation and rediscover pristine landscapes while city dwellers found it easier to shop and attend cultural events. The social effects of the automobile were equally dramatic. Teenagers gained independence and dating couples could have more relaxed sexual encounters. However the automobile also caused traffic jams, automobile accidents and deaths, resulting in increased demand for licensure and safety regulations at state levels.
The first true automobile was built by Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot of France in 1769. The invention of the internal combustion engine by Gottlieb Daimler and Nikolaus Otto in the late 19th century pushed production of automobiles to the forefront of technology. Henry Ford introduced the assembly line concept of car production and manufacturers started to produce cars at a lower cost and increase their sales.
