Abstract
This paper tends to highlight the history of automobiles and their impact on society today. This paper will discuss how what motivated the development of automobiles while also stating down the history of automobiles from the traditional and mechanical automotive used years back to the more modern electronic automobiles in use today. The impact of automobiles on society today cannot be understated with the rapid advancements in technology leading to the production of the brilliant machines. But with every advancement brings both negative and positive impacts on society and this paper will discuss these factors in a broader way. The opinion of people when it comes to automotive differs, some find it an important aspect of their life since automotive makes transportation easier while others will highlight the number of deaths caused by automobile in the last century and the negative impact of automobiles on the environment due to the emission of greenhouse gases. This essay will bring to focus these paradoxical views with regard to automobiles in society today.
Keywords: Automotive, Transport, Industry, Technology, Cars
Introduction
The invention of automobiles remains the man’s greatest invention to date. Automotive machines have become an important aspect of the day to day human activities with millions of machines in circulation today. The automotive industry has brought about decades of continuous growth and development through job creation, efficient transport system, the creation of new industries and increased safety. The dependence of automobiles in society to say that this new addiction, albeit helpful has both negative and positive impacts on the economic, social and political factors in a society.
This new age of automation had led to great engineering innovation while also acts as a paradigm of society today, which is divided into social classes where only a certain class can afford to acquire and maintain the automobile while the rest are left to use the public automotive systems. The evolution of automobiles can be traced down 500 years back when engineers such as DaVinci attempted to create mechanical inventions that were an upgrade from the horse carriage, the most common mode of transport during those days.
History of Automobiles
All through history, the great minds of the generation attempted brilliant innovation feats by trying to create locomotive machines. These can be traced as back as the15th century, when engineers created blueprints of locomotive machines, but their efforts were hindered due to poor technological capabilities of that age. Use of animals was always the most favored means of transportation during those ages and the fusion of this animals with mechanical creations to create the horse propelled carriages made engineers envision greater automotive machines that employed the use compressed air or gunpowder. These thoughts, although far- fetched led to the age of the industrial revolution with the first one being the arrival of the steam engine.
Steam Engine
This new age of steam came during the period between 1820-1840, where the engineers dreamed bigger and created intricate designs that ultimately led to the production of steam propelled automotive machines. The age of steam was, however, faced with bureaucracy with flat minded politicians hindering the advancements by imposing restrictions on the steam carriages citing safety of people as the main factor. With the safety factor of steam propelled carriages brought to question, engineers started to work on how to better these advancements. The age of railways eventually caused the death of the steam carriage. The steam propelled engines tried to fight for a rightful place in society, but the advent of the internal combustion system put it to rest completely.
Internal Combustion Engine
The internal combustion engine was brought about a new age in the automotive industry. Through trial and error that spanned decades, two German scientists, Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz, were finally able to perfect the first petroleum-fueled engine. It was not until the 1889 Paris world exhibition that a group of engineers perfected on the decides created by these two German scientists. Automotive developments in America were not as rampant as Europe due to of motor vehicles, with Henry Ford introducing the immortal Model T. The success of this automotive model defined the new age of industrial production of automobile that led to millions of machines being built and sold.
Industrial revolution of automobiles
The success enjoyed by the American automotive industry forced to come with their own innovation and this led to the advent of cycle cars. The cycle cars did not enjoy as much popularity as the American models, but the idea behind created a platform for the introduction of new lightweight cars. The economic problems that faced society after the world war caused financial stress on manufacturing plants, leading to the production of cars that were not durable since spare parts were expensive at the time. The 1950s saw new automotive companies emerge in the market to compete against the perennial giants such as Ford and General Motors. This competition led to the production of new automotive machines with top notch speed but lacking in safety. The engines during this time were large and consumed a lot of fuel. Engineers from various automotive companies researched on how to create fuel efficient engines as the effects of the Suez war of 1956 was taking its toll on production and transportation of petrol.
The modern era of the automotive industry saw the globalization of automobiles through the infusion of contemporary styles of development with increased technological capabilities to make standardized machines that ensure fuel efficiency. The modern age of this industry has seen the car advance from mechanical or manual to hybrid automatic machines. The styles of the cars have changed from unique models such as the Ferrari to the speed monster that is the Bugatti. This modern age has seen the price of cars decrease with the middle class and the working class now able to buy these machines. The introduction of the automotive racing industry has seen the emergence of great car engines capable of clocking thousands of miles at top notch speeds without burning out. The racing industry has created billions for economies and companies alike and has in the past provided the platform for companies to show the true prowess of the cars they manufacture. The future of the automotive is bright with engineers working on flying automotive machines, new energy sources and efficient emission systems and only through the test of time can these brilliant ideas be validated.
Effects of automobile on society
The impact of the automobile industry in society today can be felt everywhere. The increased world population and the affordability of motor vehicles mean that millions of cars are in circulation. The energy sources of these automotive machines range from petrol to diesel. The urbanization of many countries has seen many constructions of roads to facilitate transportation, but with millions of automotive in circulation coupled with the arrogance of many drivers towards traffic rules has seen a new problem in the form of traffic jam arise. The purpose of automotive was to make automobile to be efficient, but increased trends have shown that in some countries the problem of traffic with cars interlocked in slow motion hence creating inconveniences for the passengers and drivers alike.
It’s hard to actually understand how truly automotive machines affect the environment. The age of automotive saw the industrial manufacturing of components such as iron, lead and other kinds of metal that were used during production. Millions, maybe even billions, of automotive machines have entered the mainstream market during the since the early period of the 20th century. The issue comes when these machines are discarded after they outlive their usefulness with environmentalists arguing that decomposition of these metal components is harmful to the environment as they cause soil toxicity leading to the death of the microorganism. When not disposed of properly the lead element found in some cars interferes with biological processes and can lead to conditions such as anemia. The fuel consumption of automotive cars annually reaches billions of gallons, the combustion engines process these fuels create power that enables automotive move. This breakdown of fuel of fuel leads to the production of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide that leads to global warming. This problem has been solved of late by fuel sufficient engines, but the fact that not everyone can afford such vehicles does not help in curbing this problem.
Accidents are bound to occur in any setting. However, by statistical analysis of relevant data, it is sufficient to say that the number of accidents that involve automotive increasing annually. It is not that the integrity of this machine was in question, albeit at times they are, rather it is that those who operated these machines are the cause of these mishaps. Governments and automotive companies have through the years implemented strategical policies to ensure road safety through implementation of endeavors such as the introduction of road bumps, speed checks by police, use of speed governors in the public service vehicle and use of traffic lights. These policies are meant to safeguard the nation, but to a large extent, the inability to follow policies has led to countless of accidents due to stupid acts such as drunk driving and over speeding.
The automobile industry brings about numerous public and external costs. The transport industry is fully integrated in most modern socities and those negative impacts caused by this industry always culminates in millions of shillings in factors such as repair cost, congestion costs, noise, soil, water and air pollution cost and ultimately the cost of energy dependency. For automobiles to have the relevant infrastructure to operate on, the government has to spend billions of funds in the creation and repair of roads. To maintain sanity in the industry, the government has always implemented new policies and laws to act as a guideline for everyone in the transport sector. The private costs that transportation impacts on an individual is also greater with an average automobile user spending not less than ten dollars on energy sources such as fuel while also spending a significant amount on car maintenance and repairs.
The importance of automobiles in society today is important. Society has reached a peak age in industrial innovation that has seen advancements in all aspects of life. The emergence of automobiles has seen the emergence of job opportunities such as road construction, traffic police, gas stations and auto repair shops. These job markets have led to increased economic gains in countries. The automobile industry aims at providing a common means of transportation for society by ensuring that the distance from one place to another will not have a huge impact on their life. The use of ambulances is one such example, these vehicles are used to ensure that all medical emergencies are handled faster. The automobile industry has caused a lot of social changes today. People are now owning cars as a hobby, while the increased social interaction has made the interaction between people easier. This interaction has led to emergence of trade markets and an efficient transport system ultimately leads to urbanization.
Conclusion
Automobiles are regarded as the greatest invention with the largest impact on social and economic factors in society. In this ever-changing age of technological advancements, cars must remain adaptable to cater for future needs. The economic and cultural changes that have been brought about in this age of automobiles have more positive effects. The importance of transportation in current society cannot be stressed further with more than a billion citizens depending on automobiles to enable them perform their duties diligently thus leading to growth in the industry. Without automobiles , most economies would crumble due to factors such as insufficient workforce as workers would not be able to report to work in time. The negative effects can be managed by proper strategic and transportation planning.
The future of automobiles remains bright and with the new research in better car productions, that aims to create fast and efficient cars with increased safety, the public should also stop its self-destructing manner and start following rules to reduce the number of road accidents that occur. Research into hybrid cars, electric cars and solar powered cars will ensure more environmental friendly cars that not only serve their purposes but also maintain high environmental standards. Automobiles as an important facet of society should be embraced fully as the technological possibilities of the future car are endless.
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