Evolution of Automobiles

Hello my fellow curious class mates! In some of my last few posts I talked about wheels and light bulbs. I mentioned that light bulbs are used on cars and the primary function of wheels is to make a car move. Now let's get in to details about the history and functionality of auto-mobiles.

Cars existed long before our generation, that's why we all drive without even asking ourselves who invented the first auto-mobile or even how auto-mobiles functioned  before motors were invented. We've gotten so far with car technology that we forget the small things that matter the most to have a functioning car. A car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers and goods. The main definition of a auto-mobile is that they are primarily designed to be run on roads; they should be able to have enough seating for one to eight people; they should typically have four wheels (but with the advancement of technology, we are starting to see vehicles with three wheels); and lastly, they are initially constructed to transport people.

The first type of car to appear was a windmill looking like car. It moved with the power of wind and it was invented in 1335. A couple centuries later, in 1678,  a steam powered vehicle was invented by a priest in China. In 1769, Nicolas Joseph Cugnot from France invented the first self propelled mechanical vehicle. It was considered the first true auto-mobile. It consisted of three wheels, a steam engine, capable of carrying 4 passengers, and a maximum speed of 2.25 MPH. In 1876, Nikolaus August Otto created the first gasoline powered engine, but at that time, these kinds of vehicles were considered for the wealthy. In the end of the 19th century, the three horse power Oldsmobile was the first successful commercial vehicle because it allowed people to travel longer distances, safer and it allowed them to travel at higher speeds. In 1908, Henry Ford invented Model T and basically it was a vehicle that the middle class people were able to afford because it wasn't too expensive. Later on, in the 1930s, engines and bodies became larger and more luxurious.

Steam powered engine

Nowadays, we have cars that progressed a lot with all these new technologies that make cars a lot safer, faster, more comfortable,  and make it a heck of a lot easier for us to drive better and prevent accidents. 

Recent cars

Sources: http://www.slideshare.net/the_al3lwi/history-of-cars-presentation