Automobiles are motor vehicles that provide transportation for individuals and goods. They typically have four wheels and can seat one to seven people. They are powered by internal combustion engines fueled most often by gasoline, a liquid petroleum product. The automobile industry is one of the world’s largest. The automotive engineering discipline deals with the design and manufacture of such vehicles.
The scientific and technical building blocks of the modern automobile go back several hundred years. Leonardo da Vinci created designs and models for transport vehicles in the 15th century, but the automobile as we know it today did not take shape until the late 1800s. Many inventors and engineers contributed to its development, but Karl Benz, a German engineer, is widely credited with inventing the first true automobile in 1885/86.
When the automobile became affordable to middle-class Americans, it revolutionized society in many ways. The car allowed people to travel long distances in comfort, and it opened up new opportunities for business and leisure activities. It also encouraged families to vacation together, and it allowed urban dwellers to rediscover pristine countryside and rural residents to shop in cities. Teenagers gained independence with driving freedom and relationships improved with the ability to visit their romantic partners in their own cars.
With the advent of the automobile, a huge number of jobs were created in industries related to manufacturing, maintenance, and retail sales. Moreover, the automobile created a large market for consumer goods such as fuel and tires. It also helped open up opportunities for business and recreation in remote areas and accelerated the development of better roads and transportation systems.