Automobiles are one of the most universal and essential of modern technologies. Essentially, an automobile is a four-wheeled motor vehicle that uses internal combustion to propel itself on land. Most often, it runs on gasoline, a liquid petroleum product. Unlike trucks or buses, which are designed primarily for the transport of goods and can carry larger amounts of cargo, cars are built mainly to transport people.
Karl Benz is often credited with inventing the first automobile around 1885, though there are many other inventors and engineers who had their own take on this modern marvel of transportation. After Benz, Henry Ford revolutionized automobile production with his assembly line method. This allowed him to lower the price of his Model T until it was within the reach of middle-class American families. The automobile soon became the dominant mode of transportation in America and the rest of the world.
As a result of this, many new industries and jobs were created to support the growing auto industry. For example, vulcanized rubber used in tires increased in popularity, as did road construction. And, of course, the demand for gasoline soared as well.
Today, it is hard to imagine a world without automobiles. They give us freedom and convenience in a way that public transportation never could. Having your own car allows you to travel on your own schedule, rather than having to get up early and leave home in time for the bus. But it is important to weigh the benefits of having your own automobile against its associated costs, such as purchasing, fuel, maintenance, insurance and parking.