The Basics of Automobiles
Automobiles are motor vehicles typically used for transportation on roads and often propelled by an internal combustion engine using a volatile fuel. Hundreds of automobile models are available to consumers, allowing for choice of features, styling, performance and price range. Many automobiles have several safety features to reduce the chance of accident or injury. Those that are used for passenger transport may also contain amenities to make the ride more enjoyable, such as air conditioning and audio systems.
The scientific and technical building blocks of the automobile can be traced back hundreds of years. In the late 1600s, Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens developed an internal combustion engine sparked by gunpowder. During the 1800s, several inventors and engineers built and patented early versions of this “horseless carriage.” German engineer Karl Benz is usually credited with developing the first true modern automobile in 1885.
Until about 1910, most automobiles were made by hand and were largely luxury items for the wealthy. Then Henry Ford revolutionized the way cars were made by adopting the assembly line and making the automobile affordable for most people in the United States. Since then, the automobile industry has grown rapidly and is now one of the world’s largest industries.
While the modern automobile has numerous safety features, it can still be dangerous to drive. These dangers include human drivers who sometimes make mistakes, tires that can lose traction under certain conditions and a high center of gravity which increases the risk of rollover accidents.
Some of the most important safety features in a vehicle include seat belts and air bags to protect passengers. Other safety systems include brakes and sensors to monitor the vehicle’s speed and direction of travel. The body of an automobile is designed with various types of materials including steel section pillars and panels, aluminum paneling or all-aluminum bodies featuring pillars and structures crafted from lightweight aluminium components.
Automobiles come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, from minicars to limousines. Specialized automobiles are also designed for specific purposes such as a crane at the construction site or a fork-lift in warehouse. Emergency automobiles are designed to respond to accidents and emergencies such as fire, medical or police.
Automobiles can be powered by either gasoline, diesel or electric power. Gasoline-powered automobiles have the most popularity, accounting for around a quarter of all vehicles in operation worldwide. There are an estimated 1.4 billion cars in use worldwide and they cover more than three trillion miles (five trillion km) every year. Diesel-powered cars are gaining in popularity in Europe as they offer greater efficiency and lower emissions than gasoline-powered automobiles. In recent decades, some manufacturers have offered hybrid cars that combine the power of a traditional gasoline engine with an electric motor. This allows for a greater range of driving options, especially in urban areas where congestion is heavy. Hybrid cars are also becoming more common in the United States as consumer demand grows.