Automobiles are a huge part of society and provide people with the ability to move around more freely. However, they also cause a lot of problems with air pollution, climate change and the depletion of natural resources such as fossil fuels. This is because cars emit gases that trap sunlight and heat in the atmosphere, causing global warming. Having your own car allows you to be more flexible in terms of where and when you travel, and opens up many more possibilities for work and social life.
It gives you a sense of independence that is not easily replicated with public transportation, as you can decide where to go, when to go and whether or not to drive at all. It also provides a sense of security that is not easily replicated with public transport, as you have full control over the maintenance and speed of your vehicle. It also allows you to safely transport your children to and from their school, knowing that they are under your watchful eye at all times.
Exactly who invented the automobile is a matter of debate. Various people tried to make vehicles that could be powered by steam, electric power or gasoline. These early cars were very primitive and did not have many of the features that we are accustomed to in modern automobiles like seat belts, windshields or rearview mirrors. The first true modern automobile was a 1901 Mercedes, designed by Wilhelm Maybach and manufactured by Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft. This was followed by Ransom E. Olds’ one-cylinder, three-horsepower, tiller-steered, curved-dash Oldsmobile in 1904.
The American automotive industry grew quickly because of cheap raw materials and the absence of tariff barriers with other countries. It was also the result of a great need for personal transportation in an increasingly industrialized America, with its vast land area and hinterland of rural communities.