Automobiles are a vital part of modern life. In the United States alone, more than three trillion miles (five trillion kilometres) are driven each year. Few inventions have had a greater impact on human society. The automobile has reshaped entire cultures and altered the way we work, play, and live.
The technological building blocks of the automobile go back several hundred years. In the late 1600s, Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens invented a type of internal combustion engine sparked by gunpowder. By the end of the 19th century, the automobile had evolved into a vehicle for transporting people as well as goods. The automobile has revolutionized the lives of countless millions of individuals and transformed the world economy.
Today, there are over 1.4 billion automobiles in operation worldwide, and more than half of them are in the United States. The automobile has become the main form of transportation for families, delivering them to work, school, and shopping. Cars also provide a means for leisure activities, such as travel to sports events and movies, or visiting friends. There are even special automobiles for specific tasks, such as crane vehicles at construction sites and trucks that transport containers in ports.
In the 1920s, automobile production became the backbone of a new consumer goods-oriented society in America. As demand grew, American companies established giant factories to produce hundreds of different models of cars. As a result, the American automotive industry became one of the most important in the world. It was one of the chief consumers of petroleum and steel, and it developed advanced technologies for industrial manufacturing. Its enormous demand also created problems, including smog, noise, and air pollution.
To meet demands, the automotive industry developed many systems to reduce pollution and increase efficiency. In addition to the basic engines, there are cooling systems that recycle and reuse water and lubricating oil, as well as combustion control and exhaust systems. These systems help to make the automobile more efficient and quieter, while reducing emissions and fuel consumption.
Other systems include suspension, steering, and braking. The design of these systems is a trade-off between factors, as each must satisfy certain criteria to be effective. For example, independent front suspension allows the wheels to absorb shocks from the road surface, improving handling and comfort. However, this system adds weight, which increases the overall weight of the vehicle and requires more power to operate.
Cost is another factor that influences the design of automobiles. Automobile manufacturers must consider the price that customers can afford to pay for a particular model. The most expensive cars may have features that are not desirable or even necessary for some consumers.
In the past, most cars were designed to be mass-produced. To lower costs, automotive manufacturers often shared parts. For example, the 1950s saw General Motors share hoods, doors, roofs, and windows with its other divisions, including Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Chevrolet. This practice has continued into the 21st century, with the goal of providing a wide range of automobiles to suit any budget.