Automobiles (also called cars or motorcars) are self-propelled vehicles for transportation on land, most often powered by gasoline (which is a liquid). The automobile industry is one of the largest in the world. Its development is notable for its influence on society and for the role it plays in the global economy. Its history is a significant chapter in the industrial development of the 20th century.
Karl Benz, a German engineer, is believed to have invented the first automobile around 1885. Until 1910, most automobiles were custom-built for each customer by hand. Then Henry Ford, a businessman and engineer, developed the assembly line method of production. His breakthrough allowed more people to afford a car.
Early in the 1900s, North Carolina became home to several large automotive companies. These companies competed to produce the best automobiles at the lowest price. During this period, the middle class was growing in the United States. As a result, there was great demand for automobiles.
Before the invention of the automobile, most families did not own their own vehicle. If they traveled by train, plane or boat, they had to pay for someone else to take them from place to place. When an individual owns a vehicle, he or she has much more freedom to travel.
In addition to having more time to spend with family and friends, automobiles allow people to visit distant locations, which was not possible with other forms of transport. Many famous road trips were made in automobiles, such as the trip of Nell Richardson and Alice Burke, two women who toured the country in 1916 to promote women’s right to vote.