Automobiles (often referred to as cars) are the most widely used mode of modern transportation. A car is a four-wheeled motor vehicle designed for passenger transport, powered by an internal combustion engine fueled most often by gasoline (or “gasoline” in American English).

The scientific and technical building blocks of the automobile go back several hundred years. In the late 1600s, Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens developed a type of internal combustion engine sparked by gunpowder.

But it wasn’t until the early nineteenth century that automobiles began to take hold in significant numbers, as engineers like Gottlieb Daimler, Karl Benz and Nicolaus Otto developed new engines that allowed vehicles to travel both on land and in water. By the end of the nineteenth century, Americans dominated the industry. Henry Ford invented mass production techniques that enabled companies to make many cars very quickly.

Today, there are many different types of automobiles available, from ultra-efficient electric vehicles to high-performance sports cars. Automobiles are one of the most widely used forms of modern technology, and their evolution continues to have far-reaching effects on society.

OPENS UP MORE POSSIBILITIES

Being able to drive long distances opens up a world of possibilities for work, play, and socializing. For example, having an automobile means you can easily travel to a distant city for an important business meeting or spend a week visiting relatives who live far away. Time is a precious commodity, and having an automobile frees up the hours you can spend doing things you enjoy.