Automobiles play a major role in modern life and it is hard to imagine living without them. They allow people to travel long distances quickly and efficiently and connect cities, towns, and rural areas. In addition, they have shaped urban design and spawned new businesses such as gas stations, hotels, and amusement parks. The development of automobiles has been marked by great technological advances and significant problems associated with their use.
The history of the automobile began in the late 1800s. Karl Benz, a German engineer, is generally credited with inventing the first true automobile around 1885. Other inventors and engineers followed with their own versions of the car.
By the early 1900s, a number of manufacturers produced cars that were powered by steam, electric power, or gasoline. Steam-powered cars could achieve high speeds, but they had limited range and required a lengthy time to warm up. Battery-powered electric cars had a 38 percent share of the U.S. market in 1900, but they were slow and difficult to start. Gasoline-powered cars, on the other hand, were easy to start and had a much higher speed capability than electric models.
By the 1920s, automobile production in the United States was booming as Ford, GM, and Chrysler became dominant companies. This growth was fueled by the mass production techniques developed by Henry Ford, which allowed his company to produce a large number of cars at relatively low prices. In the early 21st century, some manufacturers introduced hybrid vehicles that combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor to provide greater efficiency and reduce emissions.