The Benefits of Automobiles
Automobiles are vehicles that have four wheels and are used for transporting people and cargo. They are powered by internal combustion engines, which burn gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, or other energy sources to provide the force that turns the wheels. Modern automobiles are highly complex systems that include a variety of mechanical, electrical, and computer components. The major systems of an automobile are the engine, fuel system, transmission, and chassis. The chassis, which is analogous to the skeletal structure of the human body, supports all of these other systems and provides safety, comfort, and protection from the elements for passengers.
The development of the automobile had a wide impact on society. It created jobs for those who made the parts and sold them, and it also led to the creation of other industries and services. For example, ancillary industries grew up to supply the demand for petroleum and gasoline, rubber, and steel. The automobile also gave people more freedom, and it allowed them to live in cities and escape to rural areas when they desired. Two women, Nell Richardson and Alice Burke, even drove across the country alone to advocate for the rights of women to vote in 1916.
The most important benefits of cars are independence and freedom. People who use public transportation may be dependent on others for rides, and buses can be unreliable. Having a car can give people the freedom to go where they want, whenever they want, and to avoid the delays that can occur if they depend on a bus.