Although in limited use since the late 1880s, the automobile became a popular and affordable method of transportation in October 1908. This was when the Ford Motor Company in Detroit, Michigan, rolled out the Ford Model T, the first car to be successfully mass-produced in assembly-line fashion. The automobile and automotive technology have transformed and shaped society in the intervening 100 years since this historical event, creating a more mobile world with easy access and easier means of transport, but unfortunately contributing to air pollution, suburban sprawl, and lack of focus and funds for public means of transportation. The future of the automobile will require alternative sources of energy, improved safety features, and innovative solutions for the problems of traffic control and highway congestion. This Spotlight feature seeks to provide factual information about the engineering aspects of automotive technology as well as to highlight the serious issues involved with the use of automotive vehicles in a time of global warming and rising gasoline costs. So start your hybrid engines and explore...
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