Automobiles are a necessity for most people who want to get from point A to B without the hassle of relying on public transportation. However there are many costs associated with this mode of transportation from the initial cost of learning to drive, to the ongoing expense of fuel and maintenance.
The automobile exploded onto the American scene in the early 1920s. During that decade it was one of the most valuable industrial commodities and provided one out of six jobs in America. Thousands of ancillary industries blossomed as the industry grew. Demand for vulcanized rubber skyrocketed, and state and local governments began funding road construction projects. Manufacturers such as Ford, GM and Chrysler created assembly lines that reduced production costs. These techniques allowed Ford to lower the price of his Model T until it became affordable for middle-class families.
Despite the early popularity of gasoline-powered motor cars, their use is largely dependent on fossil fuels. The environmental impact of the automobile has become a major issue in debates about global warming. Automobiles are also a source of pollution that affects the air quality of the Earth.
The first modern automobile was designed in Germany and France toward the end of the nineteenth century by such figures as Gottlieb Daimler, Karl Benz and Nicolaus Otto. The first true automobile was built by Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot of France in 1769, but it used steam rather than oil and was difficult to operate. Steam cars were very heavy and moved slowly because the water had to be heated to move them.