Throughout the world, automobiles are one of the most common forms of transport. They are a complex technical system that involves thousands of component parts. Their main function is to transport people and goods. Their design varies according to the user’s needs and the intended use.
Modern automobiles are based on the internal combustion engine. The engine usually uses a gasoline, diesel, or kerosene as fuel. The engine generates energy through an explosion that pushes the piston down. The power is then transferred to the wheels through a transmission.
In the late 1800s, a group of inventors began creating the modern automobile. They included Gottlieb Daimler, Karl Benz, and Edouard Delamare-Debouteville. These automobiles were highly advanced for their time. They had a four-stroke engine that used gas, and were very successful.
Daimler built his first automobile from the ground up in 1889. The engine was small, lightweight, and powerful. It could reach 10 mph, which made it a breakthrough in the field of car design.
The automobile was an answer to the 19th century dream of a self-propelling carriage. In the United States, the demand for automobiles increased due to economic development. The higher per capita income and the American manufacturing tradition made the automobile more affordable to middle class families.
In 1876, Sir Dougald Clerk invented the first successful two-stroke engine. Later, George Brayton invented a two-stroke kerosene engine. The design of the engine was considered safe and was considered the first safe oil engine.