Automobiles are a vital part of our daily lives. Any person who has ever owned a car will tell you that they have had their lives made much easier by this modern invention. Having a vehicle gives you the freedom to travel from place to place without worrying about public transportation schedules, which can often be unreliable. You can also save time by being able to stop and shop on the way to your destination.
The automobile was first invented and perfected in Germany and France toward the end of the nineteenth century by Gottlieb Daimler, Karl Benz, and others. Henry Ford innovated mass production techniques, and General Motors became one of the largest companies in the world by the 1920s. The American automobile market began to reach saturation by the 1930s, so manufacturers like GM instituted annual model-year changes in order to keep their unit sales numbers up. This strategy heavily influenced automotive design as companies used different makes of cars to target consumers at different price levels.
Once people began to have the means to own a car, they were able to explore the country and see more of it than they had previously. This gave them a new sense of adventure and helped them feel more connected to the world around them. Several authors have discussed how the automobile changed American culture and society, including Reyner Banham and Alison Smithson. These authors have explained how the automobile has shaped urban planning and architecture. They have also talked about the ways that cars can be used as status symbols and how they help families bond together.