The automobile allows humans to move around more easily and efficiently. It has given many people more personal freedom and created new industries such as the oil industry and service businesses like gas stations. It has also allowed women to drive and travel with their families which is a huge step for the rights of women in our society. This is a big change because transportation before the automobile was limited to buses and trains which are not as convenient as private cars.
The modern automobile consists of the body which is usually made out of steel or a strong plastic and then there is the chassis that holds all the major parts such as the engine, steering system, brakes, and wheels. The power of the vehicle comes from a liquid-cooled internal combustion engine which can either be gasoline or diesel. Most automobiles are driven by the front wheels but some use the rear wheels as well. The engine can be mounted between the front and the back wheels or the engine can be in the center of the car which will give it more balance.
Automobiles were first invented and perfected in Germany and France in the late 1800s by men such as Gottlieb Daimler, Karl Benz, and Nicolaus Otto. The Americans came to dominate the industry in the early 1900s when Henry Ford innovated mass production techniques that became standard. Before long, Ford, General Motors and Chrysler were the biggest companies in the United States. The automobile was a vital part of the American economy until manufacturers funneled their resources to produce war vehicles for World War II.