Automobiles are one of the most popular and versatile forms of transportation. Today, more than 1.4 billion passenger cars are on the road worldwide.
Automakers continue to develop and improve new technology that will help increase the safety of vehicles. For example, advanced driver assistance technologies such as adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring help to prevent accidents while driving at high speeds.
Automotive design is an area of engineering that focuses on the structural and functional aspects of a vehicle. This includes its weight distribution, the size of the engine and the size and placement of the wheels. It also considers the vehicle’s aerodynamic characteristics, such as its centre of gravity and suspension system.
In the past, automobiles were often very large and had limited power. Nowadays, the industry is producing more compact and fuel-efficient models.
Throughout history, automobile manufacturers have created many technological firsts. The most notable include steam, gasoline, and electric engines.
The most important invention of the modern automobile, however, was the internal combustion engine. Its inventor, Benz, patented the engine in 1879 and began to market his first car, the Benz Motorwagen, in 1886.
Another major innovation in the automotive industry was mass production. Developed by Henry Ford in the early 1900s, this technique allowed a single car to be made by a variety of workers using standardized tools and machinery.
As the American economy grew and the nation shifted its economic emphasis from agriculture to industrialization, more individuals began to buy their own vehicles. Individuals gained more freedom with their own cars, which allowed them to cross town and visit friends or relatives.