Automobiles are a type of land vehicle that uses an engine or motor to get around. They can be driven by people, but they are usually designed to carry passengers. Automobiles are able to travel over a much greater distance than any other land vehicles. They are a huge convenience for many people, especially in the United States where there are more than three trillion miles driven per year on passenger cars alone. There are many different types of automobiles, but they all have the same components. These include the engine, chassis, bodywork, control system, electrical equipment and service devices. The engine can be gaseous (petrol, diesel, kerosene), electric or even steam powered.
The earliest automobiles were steam-driven. They were heavy and moved very slowly. In the late 1800s, manufacturers began producing automobiles that used steam engines but were lighter and ran faster than their predecessors. They were also less expensive than the horses that were previously the primary mode of transportation in the country.
The automobile revolutionized the way people lived and work in America. New industries and jobs emerged to supply the demand for automobiles. Services like gas stations and convenience stores opened up. The automobile also allowed people to have more personal freedom and independence from the need to depend on others for transportation. During the 1910s and 1920s, women who drove automobiles helped push for women’s rights to vote. In addition to all of these changes, the automobile also brought a new level of luxury to American society that was not available before.