The history of cars

Introduction

Although the blueprint for the modern automobile was perfected in Germany and France in the late 1800s, Americans dominated the industry in the first half of the twentieth century. Henry Ford

innovated mass-production techniques that became standard, with Ford, General Motors and Chrysler emerging as the “Big Three” auto companies by the 1920s. Manufacturers funneled

their resources to the military during World War II, and afterward automobile production in Europe and Japan soared to meet demand. Once vital to the expansion of American urban

centers, the industry had become a shared global enterprise with the rise of Japan as the leading automaker by 1980.

Who, where and when?

This question does not have a straightforward answer. The history of the automobile is very rich and dates back to the 15th century when Leonardo da Vinci was creating designs and models for transport vehicles.

There are many different types of automobiles - steam, electric, and gasoline - as well as countless styles.Who invented the automobile is a matter of opinion. If we had to give credit to one inventor, it would probably be Karl Benz from Germany. Many suggest that he created the first true automobile in 1885/1886.

Advantages of cars

• Advantages for Car Users...

• Door to door transport, if parking space.

• Flexibility on timing, if congestion allows it.

• Several passengers

• Inexpensive if several people share the car, or if only fuel cost is considered (already have car)

• Large load carrying – boot, roof, trailer.

• Vehicles can be mobility adapted.

• Play music of choice inside.

Disadvantages of cars

• Fast, wide traffic routes deter pedestrians and cyclists; cut through whole communities.

• Driving unhealthy – is inactivity plus the body’s stress responses.

• Ever more land for roads and parking space is at high cost to car owner, taxpayer and ratepayer.

• High public costs for hospital & accident/ emergency services: city road accidents at 26 per 1000 people per year.

• Noise intrusion.

Nowadays there are companies or firms that compete each other with advanced cars which are very fast and it is a professional sport. This sport is called Formula 1(F1). We have a Spanish representation in this sport, his name is Fernando Alonso and he has won the cup twice, in 2005 and 2006, both with the company Renault.

The evolution of cars and my personal opinion

I think that cars are very useful because we can go from one place to another without making an effort; it is true that for large distances it could be very hard to travel with cars and you could use other kinds of transport such as planes or boats, but for short distances it is the best.