History of Cars

The invention of the automobile was a pivotal point in human history. Transportation was done by means of horse, water, or railroad. Horses required pastures to live on, which city dwellers could not supply, as well as a great deal of resources and maintenance, thus were not a viable option for a primary source of transportation. Water power, specifically canals and boats, were a step in the right direction, for they were relatively inexpensive and available for everyone, but they were simply too slow to be of any real use for everyday life. Railroads were revolutionary for the United States, as they allowed for the swift and efficient transportation of goods and other materials across the country, but they were extremely expensive for the common person and were once again regarded as unavailable to most.

Then, in the early 1900s, the first automobile came about. The car was a truly revolutionary invention, for it was used for a variety of purposes. Since many people in that era were farmers, cars were used where horses were previously: for sheer power. This aided farming substantially, for it was now more efficient and it used less resources compared to horses. Of course, everyday transportation was drastically improved as well. Previously, farmers would have to ship their crops to the city via railroads. This method was indeed effective, but very expensive. Cars allowed the farmers to take the crops to the city themselves, thus increasing their profit margin for every load. On a broader scale, cars allowed the United States to become an urban society, for travel from place to place was much easier, thus barriers based on sheer distance were essentially torn down.

The Ford Model T, while not the first automobile, is even today regarded as the most influential. Previous vehicles were extremely expensive due to the great deal of time and resources put into their creation. However, as the technology developed and the Model T was created, they were able to be sold at a substantially lower price, making them available to all people. This economic friendly approach "put America on wheels."

The next drastic change in motorized vehicles was the muscle car. From the time of the Model T, cars were designed to be a functional, practical tool to aid everyday life. However, the goal of the muscle car was much different. These cars, created in 1964, were designed for power, specifically for drag racing, as opposed to functionality. Comprised of a V8 engine and a great deal of horsepower, muscle cars provided Americans with a thrill of power and strength. Instead of owning a car strictly for its usefulness, people were able to indulge themselves with the new technologies presented in muscle cars. Muscle cars revolutionized American culture much in the same way as the Renaissance of 1350: new ideas were developed, not just to increase productivity, but to enhance the human soul as well.

In today's modern world, cars are made with unprecedented power and capability as well, albeit for a steep price. Muscle cars and current-day luxury cars differ, however. Muscle cars were designed for drag racing, thus torque was the primary concern. An equal balance of torque and weight was required. Today, though, cars have one goal: more power, less weight. New materials such as carbon fiber contribute to this goal immensely. The combination of stability and durability with a lightweight material has opened up a vast amount of possibilities for transportation in general, but specifically cars.

The automobile has evolved drastically over the years. Originally designed as a farm tool, the car has become a symbol of wealth and social status and has imbedded itself in popular culture.