The Automobile, or Car

In many ways, the automobile has been one of the most important inventions of the
mode age. People have been able to travel much more freely, and across much greater
distances, than was possible in the past. The automobile, which most people refer to as
the "car," has also had some harmful consequences, such as pollution and accidents.
However, it is clear that life has changed profoundly as a result of the car.  
Mode cars are very complicated, but the basic idea of how a car works can be
described briefly. When the keys are tued in the ignition of the car, this creates a spark
that ignites some gasoline vapour inside a cylinder. Then, the rapid expansion of this
vapour pushes against a part called a piston. The movement of the piston then causes a
tuing motion in a shaft that is coected to the wheels. The wheels tu, and the car
moves.  
The invention of the car, and the engines used by cars, happened gradually in the late
nineteenth century, mainly in France and Germany. In the early twentieth century, an
American engineer named Henry Ford developed a new way of making cars. Instead of
having one worker produce an entire car, he had each worker perform one part of the
production of many different cars. This system was very efficient and allowed the mass
production of cars. The first car to be produced in large numbers was called the "Model
T."  
The Model T Ford and other cars that were soon produced in large numbers were cheap
enough that many people could afford to buy them. Many new roads were built and
paved throughout North America to allow cars to be driven from town to town. People
were able to travel much more easily and to visit places that had previously been difficult
to reach.  
Some problems also came with the widespread use of cars. One of these problems was
air pollution, because car engines bu gasoline, which produces poisonous exhaust
fumes. Gradually, new laws and new technology have led to reductions in the air
pollution that is caused by cars. Moreover, cars today are much more "fuel efficient" than
they were in the past, requiring less gasoline to travel a given distance. However, this
pollution is still a problem because of the many millions of cars that are used each day.  
Another problem has been car accidents, which have caused many thousands of deaths
each year. During the 1960s, some joualists brought attention to the unsafe features of
many cars. As a result, the safety of cars has been greatly improved. In addition, the use
of seat belts is now required by law. However, car accidents continue to be a serious
problem.  
The future is likely to bring many interesting new changes to the car. Improvements in
the safety of cars, in fuel efficiency, and in the cleanliness of car emissions are
continuing to be made. Also, the increasing use of the car in economically developing
countries will probably have important effects upon people's lives around the world.