Final answer:
The automobile evolved from the bicycle with key inventions like the internal combustion engine and mass-production techniques by Henry Ford. The proliferation of automobiles spurred economic growth in related industries and led to the development of automobile culture, transforming American society and infrastructure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The automobile evolved from the bicycle beginning with the invention of the internal combustion engine, which allowed for the creation of vehicles that could travel further and faster than bicycles. The first marketed automobile was the Benz Patent-Motorwagen in 1886. Subsequently, Henry Ford's development of the Model T Ford in 1908, which used bicycle tires for wheels and ran on ethanol fuel, made cars more affordable and popularized their use. This evolution significantly altered transportation and led to the growth of the automobile culture in America, reshaping cities, economies, and societies.
The rise of the automobile allowed cities and suburbs to expand, resulting in the development of new roads funded by taxes. Businesses catering to automobiles replaced traditional blacksmiths and stables, and industries like rubber and petroleum experienced surging demand. Henry Ford's mass production methods, epitomized by the Model T, made automobiles more accessible, leading to widespread car ownership, changes in urban layout, and new patterns in shopping and living. The automobile culture of the 1950s was a testament to the vehicle's deep impact on the American way of life.