The automobile, which carries passengers and cargo on four wheels powered by an internal combustion engine, has been an essential tool of modern life. It opens up new possibilities for work and leisure, and enables people to visit their friends and relatives across large geographic areas. But it has also spawned new industries and brought new problems, such as pollution and a drain on dwindling world oil supplies.
The first automobiles appeared in the late 1800s, but it was American industrialist Henry Ford who greatly expanded the market by developing modern manufacturing techniques. His production lines enabled him to lower the price of his Model T runabout until it was within the reach of middle-class Americans.
During the war years, car makers increased production to meet booming demand. Engineering was subordinated to questionable aesthetics and nonfunctional styling, however, and quality deteriorated. By the mid-1960s, Detroit had lost its position as the leader in automotive production to Japan.
By the early 1940s, 88 percent of all households owned a motor vehicle, and that percentage was growing. The average two-door sedan cost around $920 new, which was about one-third of the average yearly income for most American families.
The era of the annually restyled road cruiser ended as manufacturers shifted resources to meet demands for military equipment and gas-powered missiles. At the same time, consumer demands were shifting to smaller cars with a higher degree of functional design and better fuel economy.