History of Automobiles
Automobiles play a very important role in our life. Without automobiles we would not have the luxuries that we have today.
An auto (also known as a motor car) is a four-wheeled vehicle used for passenger transportation and commonly propelled by an internal combustion engine using a volatile fuel. There are many types of automobiles such as cars, trucks, jeeps and buses.
History of Automobiles
The first modern car was invented around 1885 by Karl Benz, a German engineer. The invention was a breakthrough in engineering and technology that changed the way people traveled.
In the early years, most automobiles were hand-built by specialized craftsmen who rarely duplicated any one unit. The invention of the mass-production assembly line revolutionized the automobile industry.
Ford’s Model T inaugurated the assembly-line manufacturing process, which enabled more people to own an automobile. By reducing the number of parts needed, Ford’s invention reduced costs and speeded production.
During the 1910s and 1920s, competition between hundreds of small manufacturers was fueled by a need for new designs to attract buyers. Key developments included electric ignition and the electric self-starter, independent suspension and four-wheel brakes.
The automobile industry has grown rapidly and is now a global enterprise. It is a major contributor to the United States economy, with exports amounting to over $90 billion in 2020.