Automobiles and Motorcycles
Automobiles are vehicles that can transport passengers, cargo or both. They usually have four wheels, though they can also have two or three wheels. Cars usually have an internal combustion engine to fuel the vehicle. The number of people they can carry varies, from a few to several dozen.
Many of the technical features of an automobile include an ignition system, suspension, steering, and an exhaust system. Some cars are powered by an air-cooled piston-type internal-combustion engine and some use a water-cooled one. In the U.S., emissions of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide are restricted by law, with a limit of 1.4 grams of hydrocarbons and nitric oxides per km.
Another common definition of an automobile is a vehicle that is self-propelled. A motorcycle is considered to be an automobile, but it is not defined as such in most jurisdictions. Motorcycles can be driven by an individual, but the rider must wear a helmet.
Historically, there was a significant difference between the dynamics of an automobile and a motorcycle. An automobile can go very fast, but a motorcycle can be slowed down by a bump, a pothole, or even a traffic jam. While a car can be towed, a motorcycle will require winching on a trailer.
During the late 1800s, the first commercially available three-wheeled automobiles were manufactured. One of them was designed by Edward Butler. His three-wheeler had a horizontal single-cylinder gasoline engine, a rear drive chain and steerable front wheels. It was an attempt to create a self-propelled carriage.
Another early motorized device was the velocipede, a bicycle-like vehicle adapted with an engine. These were the earliest versions of automobiles. After the invention of an internal-combustion engine by Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens in the 1600s, the technology developed further.
Automobiles have come a long way in the past few centuries. They are now one of the most important forms of transportation in the United States. The automobile industry has grown dramatically since World War II. By the 1980s, it was a global market. This helped to make automobiles more competitive.
In 1885, a new type of engine was patented by the German company Daimler. The engine was small and powerful. It was capable of producing 0.5 horsepower at 600 rpm and top speeds of under seven miles per hour. ICE cars came to market the following year.
The modern automotive industry began to expand after World War II, when the three “Big Three” automakers–Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler–were formed. Initially, the cars were all powered by gasoline. But by the mid-1990s, gasoline-electric hybrids began to become popular. Several models are also capable of operating in an electric-only mode.
Today, the term “automobile” is used to refer to all types of self-propelled vehicles. There are many types of automobiles, including passenger, freight, and sports cars. Most cars are fueled by gasoline, but some are fueled by diesel. Diesel engines burn heavier petroleum oil.
Although automobiles were the earliest form of self-propelled vehicles, they were not widely produced for several decades. After the war, mass production helped automobile manufacturers gain competitive advantage. However, the 1920s were a rough period for the American automotive industry.