Automobiles are vehicles used to transport people or things such as food from one place to another. People use them to get to work, school or shopping and even visiting friends and family. Cars are also often seen on the road for emergency purposes, such as fire engines and ambulances. They can also be used for various industrial purposes such as crane vehicles at construction sites and road rollers in warehouses. There are many benefits to having a vehicle such as saving time by not having to wait for buses or taxis, being able to travel in style and having more freedom and flexibility in where you can go and what you can do.
The scientific and technical building blocks for the modern automobile began to form in the late 1600s with the invention of gunpowder-based internal combustion engines fueled by volatile fuel. However, it was not until the early 1900s that a car could be affordable to most Americans, thanks to innovations like the moving assembly line by Henry Ford and mass production. The automotive industry required many new businesses to be established to manufacture the components needed. Steel and machine tool makers prospered as a result, as did a number of automobile-related service industries, including gas stations and auto parts stores.
The automobile has changed American society in numerous ways. People now have more personal freedom and are able to visit places in America that they previously were unable to reach. It has allowed for more leisure activities and services to be offered such as recreational parks, restaurants, hotels and fast food.