These days, people cannot imagine living without cars, as they are an essential necessity. If we talk about history of cars, the first thing to be noted down is that the present day cars have changed a lot from their predecessors. The cars we use today are not the invention of any single inventor. There is a contribution of many people in bringing out the kinds of cars we have today. It can be well-realised that about 100,000 different professionals have made the modern car.
In the beginning, it was thought that cars were only for elite class as they were expensive. The old Rolls Royce got the royal status, as it was the most favourite car of many maharajas of India. People in the earlier days had never even thought that after some years, the automobile industry would flourish so much and uncountable cars will run on the roads.
While talking about cars, it is necessary to mention bicycles. We can say that the revolution in transport means is due to invention of bicycle, because early cars were the modified form of bicycles, before that horses and carts were used as means of transport. There has been a series of cars to date, like first, we had steam engine cars. Steam was produced by burning fuel; steam moved the pistons, which used to turn the wheels. It was a poor automobile design as steam engines were very heavy.
Nicolas Cugnot was the inventor of steam engine. So, we can say that he was the first automobile inventor. Later, the electrical engine was invented by Robert Anderson of Scotland. The drawback was that the electric cars needed to recharge batteries, frequently. They were heavy and expensive, too. Gasoline-engine cars were more compatible than steam and old electric cars.
These days, we have hybrid, hydrogen and electric cars; these electric cars are different than old electric cars, as there is no issue of continuous electricity supply. The great aspect is that these cars are environment friendly; hybrid and hydrogen cars are examples of it.
In this technological era, new cars are better in every way than the old ones, like they have better controls, improved brakes, engines, and quality of tyres, seats, size, safety features, and much more. To ensure safety, some rules were made mandatory such as in 1973, energy absorb bumpers were mandatory. Similarly, seat belts and side marker lights were mandated in 1964 and 1968, respectively. Afterwards, shoulder belt was also mandated.
Today, cars are not just comfortable from inside but also beautiful and stylish from the outside. These days, cars even have entertainment facilities such as radio, television and communication facility. Now, cars are available in various sizes, colours and with great features. In the past, the great automobile companies that brought revolution in the car making industry were Ford, Frederick William Lanchester, and Panhard et Levassor.
Now, we have flourishing automobile companies that manufacture thousands of cars every year. These days, cars are fuel efficient, safer and significantly economical. Nowadays, Ferraris or Lamborghinis, Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, Aston Martin or Jaguar are the most admirable cars and give the pleasure of wonderful driving.