Automobiles are wheeled vehicles that are designed to carry a passenger and usually powered by an internal combustion engine using a volatile fuel. Modern automobiles are complex technical systems that require thousands of parts to function properly. The branch of engineering that deals with the design, manufacturing and technology of these vehicles is known as automobile engineering.
The earliest automobiles were powered by steam engines, but the first practical gasoline-powered car was built in 1885 by Karl Benz and his wife Bertha Benz. Their Benz Motorwagen was the world’s first automobile to be put into production and sold commercially.
Since then, the automobile has grown in size and power and become a vital component of modern society. The automobile has also helped to expand the range of human activity and leisure pursuits beyond what could have been possible without it. The ability to quickly travel long distances means that people can live in different cities, visit friends and family, or pursue hobbies and interests in other countries.
The main disadvantage of the automobile is that it creates a lot of air pollution and uses up natural resources like fossil fuels. The exhaust fumes from cars also cause climate change by absorbing and trapping sunlight in Earth’s atmosphere. This phenomenon is known as the greenhouse effect. Other negative effects include causing traffic congestion and road accidents. In order to reduce this problem, various measures have been taken. Some of these include reducing the speed limit on certain roads and increasing safety belts.