Automobiles are wheeled motor vehicles that run on roads and seat one to eight people. They have four essential components: the chassis, engine, transmission system, and car body. Without these components an automobile would not function.
The earliest automobiles were steam, electric, and gasoline powered. They were heavy and expensive to operate. During the early 1900s the automobile became more affordable to the general public. As a result, it gained popularity and impacted society in many ways.
For example, automobiles helped women to work outside the home. They also provided a sense of freedom and independence as they no longer had to rely on a man for transportation. The automobile also pushed women into the political arena as they started to campaign for women’s rights. In addition, automobiles gave families the ability to live closer together and to attend more activities.
During the 1920s and 1930s market saturation and technological stagnation took place, which slowed down the pace of automotive innovation. However, during World War II automakers shifted production to meet the demand of the military. After the war, issues arose concerning nonfunctional styling of American cars and fuel efficiency related to ‘gas guzzling’. This opened the market to foreign manufacturers such as Germany and Japan, who produced functionally designed, well-built small cars.
Today, the main focus of automotive innovation is safety and environmental impact. Several technological advancements can be expected, including hybrid and electrical vehicles as society shifts away from traditional internal combustion engines.