Contents: Structure
A car has an engine to power it, put together with three or more wheels (normally four), a purpose-built body frame, and controls such as a steering wheel and brakes. They usually have a seat for the driver and at least one other seat for a passenger, and most have a total of 4 to 8. Some small "city" cars carry only two people, and/or have very little luggage space; other types are able to carry many passengers or heavy loads. For example, family station wagons or estate cars carry from 6 to 9 people, or fewer people with lots of luggage. A van or pickup truck is a car-like vehicle made for carrying medium sized loads, for example of goods for delivery or plumber's and builder's tools and materials.
In order for a car to work, it must have fuel, most often petrol, which is sometimes called gasoline, or can run ondiesel. Other less common fuels are natural gas, or electricity. Many car-making companies are also now trying to build vehicles that run successfully using hydrogen fuel cells, which are as convenient as petrol or diesel fuelled cars but do not give out any polluting exhaust gases ( but making hydrogen may at first still need electricity made by a powerplant that burns similar fossil fuels ).
History
Ford Model T, 1927.
Ford Model T, 1927.
The earliest automobiles recorded were actually steam engines attached to wagons. This was invented by Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot in the late 1700's. The steam engines were heavy and therefore the wagon was very slow and hard to control. Cugnot was the very first person to get into a motor vehicle accident when he crashed his wagon into a wall! Also, there were in the 1830's that were powered by electricity, but these were also very slow and heavy so they were eventually left behind. The internal combustion engine changed the way automobiles were to be powered. The engine used either gasoline, diesel, or kerosene to work. When the gas is exploded in a cylinder it pushes the piston down and turns the wheel. Although many people tried to make a good car that would work well and sell well, people say that Karl Benz invented the modern automobile. He used a four-stroke type of internal combustion engine to power his "car". He began to sell his production vehicles in 1888.
Benz may have invented the first modern car, but Henry Ford is the man who sold the most cars to the most people. In 1910 he began making and selling his Model T, which was a huge success. Many people could afford this car, not just the rich. Ford mass produced his Model T, meaning he made a lot of them in a short time in a factory. People say that the Model T is the car that "put America on wheels". The Model T was the most popular car of the time because it was so cheap but it was still a good quality car that everyone could own.
Since then, many different kinds of cars have been designed and built, from minivans to sports cars.
Advantages
Benz Patent Motorwagen, first built in 1885
and awarded the patent for the concept.
Cars are faster than walking or riding a bike if you are going a long way, can carry more than one person, and a large amount of luggage. Depending on local public transport quality, they can also be faster and far more convenient than using buses, trams or trains, and can often go where public transport cannot. 4-wheel drive "offroad" vehicles are particularly good at reaching places difficult for any other wheeled transport, allowing provision of goods, emergency services, transport of disabled or infirm passengers, and faster and safer journeys for able-bodied passengers over long distances and harsh terrain where this may otherwise have been impossible.
Another good thing is that if it's raining heavily it is better to use a car than a bicycle or motorcycle, or walking, because driving a car in these conditions can be less dangerous, and keeps passengers and possessions dry as most cars are enclosed (they have a roof, doors and windows). Modern cars are often safer in accidents in any conditions, as they have added safety features such as seat belts, airbags, crumple zones and side-impact protection that would be expensive or impossible on two-wheeled or light 3-wheeled vehicles, or most buses.
Disadvantages
This is a car that was in a very bad car accident.