The modern automobile is a complex technical system with subsystems designed to perform specific functions. It is driven by an internal combustion engine fueled, most often, by gasoline (petrol). The automobile has profoundly impacted the world’s economy and society, changing the way people live and work. Its development also gave rise to mass production techniques that have benefited nearly every industry.
Pros: The automobile provides freedom of movement and the convenience to go whenever you want to go without having to schedule a bus trip or be dependent on others for rides. It can take you on scenic drives and to remote locations that would otherwise be inaccessible, and allows you to visit friends and family who live far away. It can also help you get around more quickly when the weather is bad or when there are other unexpected events that arise.
Cons: Automobiles can cause air pollution when too many of them are used in a small area, and they contribute to global climate change. They are also expensive to purchase, maintain and park, although the IRS allows you to deduct the cost of gas, insurance, registration, and other maintenance expenses from your taxes. They can also be a liability, if they are stolen or damaged by other drivers or by wild animals or natural disasters.
Exactly who invented the automobile is a matter of controversy. The first car, which was a horse-drawn carriage fitted with an internal combustion engine, was created by Edouard Delamare-Deboutteville and Leon Malandin of France in the late 1860s. Karl Benz of Germany, however, is commonly given credit for creating the first true automobile in 1885/1886, using a four-stroke, liquid-fueled engine.