An automobile is a wheeled vehicle that is powered by an internal combustion engine using gasoline, diesel fuel, or kerosene. These engines work by exploding the fuel in a cylinder and driving it down to turn the wheels of the car. An automobile can be driven on either a road or off-road, and is usually designed to carry passengers.

Automobiles are considered a symbol of freedom and liberation, and they have changed society in many ways. For example, they have allowed people to travel long distances quickly and easily, allowing them to work in other places than where they live or visit friends and family. In addition, the invention of the automobile has opened up new industries, such as car manufacturing, steel production, and petroleum exploration.

The first modern automobile was invented by Karl Benz in 1885. He was followed by other engineers and inventors who continued to refine the concept of the automobile. Then Henry Ford came along and revolutionized the way cars were made by inventing the assembly line. This allowed him to produce automobiles in large numbers and make them affordable for the average person.

From the early 20th century to the late 1980s, American automobile ownership was virtually universal. In that era, the automobile was a powerful force for change, propelling Americans into an era of consumer goods and liberating them from dependence on the railways. However, as the automobile continues to lose its societal significance, other forces are emerging that will chart America’s future.