Automobiles are the means by which many people travel, and are the world’s most common type of vehicle. The automobile is a complex machine that has a number of different parts, including an engine, transmission, chassis, bodywork and electrical equipment. The most important part of an automobile is its engine, which burns a fuel to drive the car’s wheels. This fuel can be gasoline, diesel fuel or even natural gas. The power from the engine goes through the transmission, which is a series of gears that changes the amount of power being transmitted to the wheels. The automobile also has a control system that monitors and regulates the vehicle’s functions.

The first modern motorcars were developed in Germany and France toward the end of the nineteenth century, by such men as Gottlieb Daimler, Karl Benz and Nicolaus Otto. The 1901 Mercedes was considered the first true modern automobile, although it cost six hundred dollars—the price of a middle-class home in America at the time—and had an output of only five hundred cars per year.

By the 1920s, the automobile had conquered American streets and highways. The new automotive industry was a major force in the growth of a consumer goods-oriented society, and it drove technological innovations in steel, petroleum and other industrial products. Moreover, the automobile stimulated participation in outdoor recreation and spurred the development of related services such as motels, service stations and roadside restaurants. It also brought urban amenities to rural America and largely ended the isolation of traditional family farms.

Despite its numerous advantages, the automobile is not without problems. Its use contributes to air pollution, and the emissions from its engines produce toxic gases that can be harmful to human health. Its noise and vibration can disturb neighbors’ lives, and the traffic congestion caused by so many vehicles imposes serious environmental and social costs. Its high initial and operating costs can make it unaffordable for some individuals and families, especially when they have limited incomes or credit.

However, the automobile remains a vital part of our daily lives. For many, it is not conceivable—or at least extremely inconvenient—to live without an automobile. This is evidenced by the fact that in the United States alone, there are over three trillion miles of roads, and that about half the population owns a car. Whether a sedan like the Honda Accord or a sports utility vehicle such as the Jeep Cherokee, today’s automobile is as much a symbol of freedom and prosperity as it is a practical tool for getting around town or traveling long distances. The most significant benefit of owning a car, in terms of its effect on our daily lives, is that it allows us to save a great deal of time. This is true for both work commutes and trips to the grocery store or movies with friends. Without the automobile, many of us would spend hours every day waiting for buses or other forms of public transportation.