Automobiles (also known as cars or automobiles) are motor vehicles used for transporting passengers and cargo. They are typically propelled by an internal combustion engine fueled by petroleum products like gasoline, diesel fuel, and liquefied natural gas. The engine drives a transmission that provides the torque to turn the wheels.
Automobile development began in the 19th century, with Karl Benz developing a car with a four-stroke internal combustion engine powered by gasoline in 1885. Other inventors and engineers were working on similar concepts, and the modern automobile came into widespread use in the 1920s.
The automobile greatly expanded personal freedom and mobility, allowing people to live in rural areas or urban centers and still get to work or school on time. The automobile also created new industries that supplied the materials needed to make and operate vehicles, such as rubber, plastics, and fuel. Services like roadside restaurants and motels sprang up to support the traffic. Government expenditure on roads and highways increased, too.
The automobile also stimulated participation in outdoor recreation and brought urban amenities, such as schools, medical care, and jobs, to rural America. It ended rural isolation and led to a reshaping of the traditional family farm. Modern life is nearly inconceivable without access to an automobile, and it would be much less convenient if we did not have such easy access to our cars. They are also a great way to socialize and have fun, and they are an important symbol of American culture, from the artful mid-century modern designs that cruised U.S. highways to the blockbuster Disney-Pixar movie Cars.