<human>:  What is the history of the automobile?
<bot>: The history of the automobile dates back to the 18th century with the development of steam engine-powered cars. Throughout the 19th century, various innovations such as the internal combustion engine, brakes, and transmission enabled the mass production of automobiles. By the early 20th century, the automobile had become an integral part of modern life, with more than one billion globally by 2020. The development of the automobile was met with social and environmental challenges such as air pollution, traffic congestion, and highway safety, but also provided many of the labor-saving conveniences and personal transportation benefits we still enjoy today.