Automobiles and Automobile Engineering
Automobiles are one of the most important inventions in human history, without which we can not imagine our modern world. These vehicles are used for passenger transportation and serve as a lifeline to people in emergency situations. These automobiles have revolutionized our lives, and are a symbol of power and freedom for the common man. Automobile Engineering is the branch of Engineering that deals with designing and manufacturing of automotive vehicles.
Although the automobile was first perfected in Germany and France in the late 1800s by such men as Gottlieb Daimler, Karl Benz, and Nicolaus Otto, American companies quickly came to dominate the industry in the twentieth century. Henry Ford innovated mass production techniques and produced the Model T, which put automobiles within reach of middle-class Americans. His invention of the moving assembly line helped to speed up production and reduce costs, which allowed for a lower price tag on each vehicle.
With its vast land area and hinterland of scattered and isolated settlements, the United States had a greater need for automobile transportation than European countries did. This fact, coupled with a relatively high per capita income and more equitable distribution of income, ensured that the new automobile firms would enjoy great demand for their products. Cheap raw materials and a chronic shortage of skilled labor also encouraged the mechanization of industrial processes in America. The combination of these factors made it inevitable that American manufacturers could produce cars more cheaply than their European counterparts.
Today, the car is one of the most widely used means of transportation worldwide, with about 1.4 billion automobiles in operation as of 2017. In recent years, manufacturers have offered hundreds of different models to consumers, making the selection process daunting and confusing. This is largely due to the proprietary technological advances that automobile manufacturers make to their vehicles.
However, there are many drawbacks to automobiles, such as the fact that they can be prone to accidents and have a large environmental impact. The amount of air pollution generated by the automobiles can be dangerous to humans, and can also contribute to global climate change. Automobiles can also be a nuisance in cities, where they cause traffic congestion and slow down the movement of people. Some cities have developed public transport such as buses, trains, and trams that can move people more quickly and cheaply than automobiles in an urban environment.
Despite these drawbacks, there are several reasons why the automobile is still considered to be an essential tool of modern life. The automobile provides a way to get to work or school, and to visit friends and family members. It also helps us in emergencies such as when a loved one is sick or injured, or when our home needs to be repaired. It also offers a convenient way to take vacations or go on shopping trips. The invention of the automobile has made life much more convenient, and we have come to depend on them for our daily activities.