What Are Automobiles?

Automobiles are self-propelled motor vehicles used for transportation on land. The word is derived from auto- (from French) and mobile (from Latin), meaning self-moving vehicle. It is one of the most ubiquitous of modern technologies and it is a huge industry with 73 million new cars produced worldwide in 2017.

Cars have greatly changed the way people live. They allow for fast, long-distance travel and they enable the flexible distribution of goods. They also encourage sprawl, which degrades landscapes and creates traffic congestion that keeps many automobiles immobilized.

There are many different kinds of automobiles, each with its own unique purpose and design. They are categorized on the basis of their load-carrying capacity, the motor they use and the number of wheels they have. They are also classified on the basis of their fuel type.

The first automobiles were steam and electric powered. They had a high speed but they were not very reliable. Karl Benz invented the first gas powered automobile in 1885. Later, Henry Ford invented the assembly line and Model T which made automobiles cheaper for the general public.

In 1916 two women, Nell Richardson and Alice Burke made a pretty bold statement by driving across the country to advocate for women’s right to vote. They decorated their car with “vote for women” banners and gave speeches at various locations. They were considered very brave for their time. Today, there are many women who drive. Having your own automobile gives you freedom and independence from having to rely on others for transportation.