A4- Electronic Essay

Evolution of the Automobile

            In a mere 127 years, the simple horse and carriage evolved into the automobile, now with the technologies to drive itself, use the sun’s power, park itself, and have a GPS installed ready to go anywhere. The first automobile ever invented is still a controversial topic and now a matter of opinion to most people. Karl Benz however, is given credit to being the first inventor. He was from Germany and created this technology around 1886. He patented his Benz Patent-Motorwagen, making cars available during the early 20^th century.

            The simple need for transportation has always been a part of our history. From the earliest of times, people needed to get from one place to another for work, housing, and visiting. Although we evolved so much in this past century, we still have the same necessities. The convenience of a vehicle was practical for people to instantly go along with the idea. Benz’s first car was a gas-powered horseless carriage. Coming such a long way but still using gas to power the1 billion vehicles on the planet today, it almost surprises me that the human population hasn’t made bigger changes with its natural resources.

            With bigger and better features constantly tweaked throughout the years, speed, control, style, and size have changed on a car. Having a car is not a right but a privilege, making them seem as very valuable and useful. The steam engine became the gasoline engine, becoming the diesel, then hybrid, and now even the H₂ PEM fuel cell car. The evolution of the car has also contributed to people’s social and sports life. Such organizations such as NASCAR has been racing cars since 1949. Some of the oldest traditions stay true even today as a form of entertainment in the heart of competing and advertising. Cars are also seen as a sign of wealth and fashion. There are shows for unique cars, sports cars, brands of cars, and domestic meetings.

            The Detroit News agency has come up with the prediction that 78 percent of the vehicles sold in The United States of America alone will run on gasoline for at least a quarter century longer. Alternative options such as plug-in electric cars are not going to change every mind against gasoline cars. Although sale in the U.S. for plug-ins tripled in 2012 from 2011, there are still cons with them. Battery-electric cars are range limited and still more expensive than the old-fashioned gasoline ones. The robotic systems in Honda cars are now making artificial intelligence possible to fuel the car with “user-friendly, computer-infused interior designed to react to occupants.” Hidden cameras in BMW’s latest edition with buttons are making it possible for the HoloActive Touch, “waving your hand in front of the free-floating projection will mimic interactions like a physical touchscreen.” Taking this idea from the 2002 sci-fi called Minority Report, having this head-up display will reflect this image to make it seem like its floating in midair.

            These new features are constantly being added from different brands of cars competing to have the most luxurious, comfortable, stable, safe and reliable transportation mechanism they can create. Constantly trying to make traveling easier with technology and using other resources and eco-friendly alternatives, there is still much to create. Flying cars are even in the near future with work such as  Silicon Valley and Google’s Larry Page saying that a piolet’s license to fly is not even required and will cost the same as an SUV. There are over 20 other companies working on the same ideas. Although this one person invention isn’t for everyone or the roads, these aircrafts are still going to be open to the public for open, restricted areas. Although the technology may be ready, the world around this aircraft may not be considering the traffic and safety of others.

            Over the past century, cars have helped people travel and became more efficient and effective in today’s society. Since 2016, more than 70 million passenger cars were produced, in rapidly growing numbers still today. There’s an estimated 1 billion passenger cars traveling on roads today. With modern day advancements that were once a luxury or simply nonexistent at all, it’s truly incredible how far cars have come and with technology advancing, who knows, maybe sky really is the limit.

          

Works Cited

“Cars Produced This Year:” United Arab Emirates Population (2018) - Worldometers,     www.worldometers.info/cars/. Accessed 25 February 2019.

Editors, History.com. “Automobile History.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 26 Apr.    2010, www.history.com/topics/inventions/automobiles. Accessed 25 February 2019.

 “Hydrogen Fuel Cells.” Hydrogen Cars Now, Hydrogen Cars Now,           www.hydrogencarsnow.com/index.php/hydrogen-fuel-cells/. Accessed 25 February     2019.

 “This Larry Page-Backed 'Flying Car' Will Cost the Same as an SUV and Will Hit the Market    next Year.” CNBC, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2018, www.cnbc.com/video/2018/10/12/openers-    blackfly-flying-car-will-hit-the-market-in-2019.html. Accessed 25 February 2019.

Voelcker, John. “Gasoline Cars To Remain Dominant In 2040, Energy Agency Says.” Green       Car Reports, 20 Dec. 2013, www.greencarreports.com/news/1089240_gasoline-cars-to- remain-dominant-in-2040-energy-agency-says. Accessed 25 February 2019.