Cars have come a very long way in the last 100 years or so. They used to be slow-moving, cumbersome things that weren't a whole lot better than walking, and they were unattainable to most people because they were cost prohibitive. Plus, there just weren't that many of them. Now cars are everywhere, and they have changed so much. They not only go much faster and are much more reliable than their predecessors, but they have features that wouldn't have even been imagined or dreamt about in the past. Even simple things that most people take for granted like windows that open and close and air conditioning weren't in the first cars. There were no radios, and there certainly weren't any navigation systems or diagnostics that allowed your car to 'tell you' when something was wrong or the door wasn't closed tightly. The first cars weren't much above horse-drawn carriages, and they broke down a lot. People were always fiddling with them to keep them running properly and there were no warranties. Long distance trips weren't realistic, and there weren't gas stations on every corner, either. Slowly, though, cars started to develop and acquire more features like air conditioning, heating, and windows that could be rolled up and down - which were eventually replaced with power windows in most vehicles of today.
Radios and things like them came later, and the first were AM/FM only. Eight-track tapes, cassettes, and CDs came along eventually, as did navigation systems, diagnostic checks, and being able to plug your iPod into your car and play the music that's on it through the stereo. Whether these things are actually needed is debatable, of course, but that doesn't mean that they aren't wanted or that they don't enhance the experience of travelling. Now that there are good warranties on cars and they are very reliable, people can take long trips without being so concerned about them breaking down. There are always places to fuel up and get a snack, and there are auto clubs that you can call if a tyre goes flat or the engine gives up - or if you run out of fuel. It's nothing like driving a car 100, 50, or even 25 years ago, and it makes one wonder what kinds of options are going to be seen on cars in the future. Undoubtedly there will be many more changes and features to come.
Radios and things like them came later, and the first were AM/FM only. Eight-track tapes, cassettes, and CDs came along eventually, as did navigation systems, diagnostic checks, and being able to plug your iPod into your car and play the music that's on it through the stereo. Whether these things are actually needed is debatable, of course, but that doesn't mean that they aren't wanted or that they don't enhance the experience of travelling. Now that there are good warranties on cars and they are very reliable, people can take long trips without being so concerned about them breaking down. There are always places to fuel up and get a snack, and there are auto clubs that you can call if a tyre goes flat or the engine gives up - or if you run out of fuel. It's nothing like driving a car 100, 50, or even 25 years ago, and it makes one wonder what kinds of options are going to be seen on cars in the future. Undoubtedly there will be many more changes and features to come.
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