Whether you’re driving a sports car, a minivan, or a pick-up truck, automobiles are an essential part of modern society. They provide a reliable means of transportation, and also play a role in shaping our society.
The word “automobile” comes from the Greek prefix auto, which means “for one”. The word automobile comes from the Latin word mobilis, which means “moving.” A modern automobile is a highly complex technical system. It consists of many parts, including an engine, a chassis, an exterior body, a trunk, a hood, and several other systems.
The first automobiles were steam engines attached to wagons. They were heavy and difficult to control. The first automobiles were created in Germany and France in the late nineteenth century. Eventually, the United States and Europe became increasingly dependent on automotive transportation.
The automotive industry in the United States grew rapidly during the first half of the twentieth century. By the mid-1920s, Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler emerged as the “Big Three” automakers. These manufacturers dominated the automotive industry and accounted for 80 percent of the industry’s output.
Henry Ford developed mass production techniques, which were adopted by other American automobile manufacturers. This allowed Ford to sell cars for less money. He introduced an assembly line in 1913, and by 1914, he opened a new factory in Highland Park, Michigan.
The United States benefited from a higher per capita income, as well as the availability of cheap raw materials. Its economy was much more equitable than Europe’s.