Evolution of Automobiles
Man is a creature of innovation, possessed with an inherent inclination towards novelty man has endeavored to find new modes of transportation. Such endeavors resulted in the manufacturing of the present day cars. The automobile was invented in the 1800's. However, the history of the invention can be traced back to the invention of the wheel about 4000 years ago, which has been hailed by many as one of the greatest invention of all time. In 1770, Nicholas Joseph Cugnot made the first serious attempt at building an automobile by managing to build a large stream-driven vehicle. In the early 1900s manufacturers seriously started concentrating their efforts in car production for the public. Henry Ford is amongst the pioneers of this industry. The Ford Motor company has been manufacturing cars for the public since 1903. Through assembly line production and division of labor Ford managed to manufacture cars affordable to an everyday worker.
The early cars can be considered aesthetically dull and boring compared to the glory and grandeur of present day vehicles. During the first two world wars manufactures directed their energy towards building planes and tanks rather than cars. The breakthrough in the automobile industry took place on October 14, 1947 when Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier. After that event the desire to go faster took precedence and rigorous efforts were made towards building faster cars, additionally it prompted the construction of sleek and aerodynamic cars. Power, style, convenience and features became the integral features of cars and companies such as General Motors were seeking to provide cars with these qualities.
Companies such as Chevrolet, Cadillac and Renault jumped on the bandwagon and started producing cars. The industry thrived as the number of automobiles multiplied with each company trying to out do the other by producing better cars while being more cost efficient.
According to reliable figures there were 590 million passenger cars worldwide in 2002. This figure is bound to have been increased exponentially every year since then. Presently cars are the most popular mode of transportation. Roads are an integral part of the infrastructure of any country. Motor sports such as Formula One and NASCAR Car Racing are popular around the world as well. Car manufacturers are now looking to produce hybrid cars which are cleaner, as well as looking at alternative fuel technology to reduce the pollution to the environment. Companies are looking at the prospect of producing cars which run on renewable resources as opposed to petroleum products or gasoline, which are non-renewable. The material which the car made of is also being innovated with duraluminum, fiberglass, carbon fiber and carbon nanotubes being looked at as alternatives. In conclusion, the industry has grown into one of the biggest industries in the world but it is still possessed by a desire to innovate as people are dreaming about the prospect of cars which will be able to fly in the future. The idea may seem strange at the moment but so must have the idea of a car before the 1800's.
