Automobiles are one of the main mode of transportation that humans rely on, it’s a huge industry and provides many jobs to people worldwide. Without them the luxuries of our modern day life would not be possible. They are not only used for passenger transport but they also serve as the main means of cargo transportation. The automobile industry is made up of many different subsystems that work together to produce the automobiles we know and love today. Automotive Engineering is the branch of Engineering that deals with the designing and manufacturing of cars and trucks.
The first major development was in 1885 when Karl Benz designed and built the world’s first gasoline internal combustion engine automobile. His car was able to travel more than 106 km (about 65 miles). The Benz Motorwagen was the first vehicle that was put into production and sold commercially. It was the precursor to all automobiles that came after it, and it revolutionized the way we think about transportation today.
Before the automobile was invented there were various attempts at steam and electric powered vehicles with varying degrees of success. A few of the earliest were Thomas Rickett’s steam car from 1860 and Siegfried Marcus’s gas powered handcar in 1870.
By the 1910s the middle class was expanding in America and as a result the demand for automobiles increased. This allowed for manufacturers to develop a production line for the manufacture of affordable automobiles. This process was greatly enhanced by Henry Ford’s introduction of the assembly line concept in 1902.
In the 1920s automobile technology began to take off as more innovations were made. It was at this time that women’s rights were increasing and they could now drive as well as men. This led to a great shift in society and gave women a sense of freedom and independence.
Automobiles have caused some negative effects as well, such as traffic congestion, air pollution and greenhouse gases. They have also been a cause of accidents and deaths, however these problems can be solved with a combination of education, safety equipment and stricter driving laws.
Depending on the purpose of an automobile the design will vary. For example, off-road automobiles must have durable and simple systems that are resistant to extreme operating conditions. Automobiles that are intended for high-speed, limited-access road systems require improved passenger comfort options and optimized high-speed handling capabilities.
The most important thing to remember about automobiles is that they are a complex technical system with thousands of interconnected parts. If any one of these systems fails it can have disastrous consequences. The most common causes of problems are human error, such as making mistakes when driving or not being able to make it to their bus stop on time, wheels that lose traction and roll over when traveling at high speeds, as well as mechanical failures, such as brakes failing or engines exploding. All of these problems can be avoided if proper maintenance and care is taken by drivers and vehicle owners.