Automobiles are the main mode of transportation for most people. They provide the freedom to travel where you want, whenever you want without having to check bus routes or wait for a ride-sharing service. However, owning a car comes with some drawbacks, including causing air pollution and putting a strain on dwindling oil reserves. It also can cause injury or death if you are involved in a serious accident.
The automobile was a key force in changing twentieth century America. It was the backbone of a new consumer goods-oriented society, and it stimulated the development of services such as gas stations and roadside restaurants. It also created many jobs in the automotive manufacturing industry and boosted other industries that supplied materials for cars such as steel and petroleum.
Henry Ford revolutionized the auto industry with his invention of the assembly line, allowing him to produce cars at a fraction of the cost of European manufacturers. In addition, cheap raw materials and a lack of tariff barriers encouraged American firms to sell vehicles over a wide geographic area.
As an industry, the automobile has been marked by periods of growth and stagnation. After World War II, demand for cars soared, and the U.S. accounted for one-fifth of the world’s production. But the economy became saturated with competition, and technological progress slowed to a crawl. Engineering became subordinate to nonfunctional styling, and quality deteriorated. Consumers also questioned the social costs of ‘gas-guzzling’ autos in terms of increased air pollution and a drain on dwindling oil reserves.