Almost every person in the world needs automobiles to move from one place to another. They are a highly complicated technical machine, with thousands of parts. They also consume natural resources and pollute the air. They are also a source of jobs for millions of people around the world. They also provide services, such as transport, to help people reach their destinations. They are also considered one of the most universal modern technologies.

The automobile is a self-propelled motor vehicle that is powered by a gas-fueled internal combustion engine. It is commonly designed to carry four or five passengers. There are also vehicles with more than seven seats, such as a van or a minivan.

During the late 1800s, the development of the automobile accelerated. It changed the way Americans lived. It also introduced new laws and highway rules. It gave people more freedom and access to jobs. It also contributed to the growth of leisure activities and services. It was also a major contributor to the growth of the auto industry. It became one of the largest industries in the world.

The first cars were designed and built by hand. They were often customized for the buyer. They were made in the U.S. and Europe during the late 1880s to the late 1910s. These vehicles were mostly for the wealthy.

The first car that used gasoline as a power source was a three-wheeler built in 1884 by Edward Butler. It had a horizontal single-cylinder gasoline engine with a drive chain to the rear wheel. It was designed to go about 500 feet. It was considered the forerunner of the modern automobile.

Another car that used a gasoline engine was a three-wheeler built by Nicolaus August Otto in 1872. It was designed to carry passengers, but it was not designed for speed. It was also considered a precursor to the minivan.

The first successful gasoline-powered automobile was designed by Karl Benz in 1885. He patented a prototype of the modern gas engine. His company began manufacturing automobiles and became the world’s largest automobile manufacturer by 1900.

Automobiles have changed the way we live. They give people more freedom, access to jobs, and access to places to live. They also offer safety features. The demand for automobiles continues to increase each year. The automobile industry employs millions of people worldwide. In addition to producing automobiles, automobile manufacturers also produce parts for the vehicles. It also creates jobs in many areas, such as restaurants, gas stations, and motels.

The automobile changed the way we travel. It made it possible for people to go to rural areas without having to travel by train or bus. It also helped people visit their children in the hospital or to the mall.

Today, the automobile industry produces sixty million cars each year. Cars are designed for use on highways and other roads. They can also be built to drive automatically, avoiding collisions with other vehicles.