Automobiles are vehicles that use an internal combustion engine to move. Most use petroleum-based fuel (gasoline) but others may use natural gas or other types of liquids and solids to drive the motor. The modern automobile has a complex design that involves thousands of component parts.
The scientific and technical building blocks for the automobile go back several hundred years. The earliest were steam-powered machines, which could reach high speeds but had short ranges and required time to start. Battery-powered electric cars held a 38 percent share of the United States market in 1900, but they had poor performance and were difficult to recharge. Eventually, Karl Benz of Germany invented the first gasoline-powered car in 1885/1986. The automobile revolutionized American society by providing freedom of movement for people, who could now travel to work, shopping centers and leisure activities. It also led to new businesses, including hotels, restaurants and other businesses that provided services for travelers. The industry became the dominant force in the economy and a leading user of steel, petroleum products and other raw materials. Its success brought new laws and government requirements for safety features, air pollution control, highway regulations and drivers’ licenses.
By the 1920s, the automobile had become a key factor in the rise of middle-class America. Manufacturers churned out automobiles with names like Ford, Oldsmobile and Chrysler. By the mid-1960s, auto ownership in America had peaked at more than 100 million cars. In addition to making life more convenient, the automobile brought new leisure activities, such as camping and picnicking, driving instruction schools and car clubs.