This article highlights that the today automobile remains at the forefront of noteworthy technical achievements. Some of the more recent ideas that have emerged as a result of mankind’s quest for safety, efficiency and performance are the air bag, computer-controlled electronic fuel injection, run-flat tires and compact global positioning systems. Like most remarkable objects that are incessantly redesigned and refined until the end result meets, and often exceeds, the goal of the initial concept, the blueprint for the automobile actually started out as one man’s crusade—in this case, to produce a self-propelled, steam-powered carriage. Due to ever-increasing emission standards, the automobile is forever linked to the catalytic converter, oxygen sensor, air pump, and the electronic control module. The control module is designed to adjust the engine’s ignition tinting thousands of times every second to ensure that the smallest amount of hydrocarbons are released into the atmosphere. The automobile continues to clean up its own act and inspire the development of increasingly sophisticated technology, which underpins the prosperity of North America.

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