Automobiles are one of the main means of transportation in modern times. They have had a major impact on the world economy and social life. Entire societies have restructured themselves around the power of fast, long-distance transportation that automobiles provide. There are 1.4 billion passenger cars in operation worldwide. The cars that we drive today are more powerful, faster, handle better, keep occupants safer and are far more eco-friendly than those of the past.
Most of us rely on automobiles for our daily commute, shopping trips and visiting family and friends. While it is true that many accidents occur, especially due to reckless drivers, the fact remains that owning a car allows you to save time, which in turn gives you more freedom to spend on your hobbies and on your loved ones.
In the beginning of the 20th century, the automobile was a very experimental invention. Its creators, whose names have been forgotten, were struggling to perfect it. The first attempt was made in 1883 when Edouard Delamare-Deboutteville and Leon Malandin of France mounted a liquid-fuelled, four-stroke, internal combustion engine on a tricycle. Unfortunately, during the testing of their invention, the vehicle broke apart.
Today’s modern automobile is a complex technical system that combines a variety of subsystems, each with its own specific design functions. These include air pollution control components, safety systems, size and weight limitations, ways to improve aerodynamics and appearance.