The science of engineering is responsible for a vast number of developments for humankind. Its effects permeate nearly all strands of society. Perhaps the most significant advancement has been in the sphere of travel. The creation of high-tech vehicles has meant that travelling great distances in a short space of time has become a reality. As a result the limits placed on humankind have been greatly reduced. The most popular form of travel is by the automobile. Today there are over a billion cars worldwide. Given the popularity of this mode of transport there are safety issues. This has led to the establishment of safety standards to ensure passenger security. Another form of providing passenger protection is through the use of car insurance. The engineering technologies behind the development of the car combine the sophisticated with simple. The key technology at the heart of the car is the combustion engine. The combustion engine uses fuel-air mixture to release an incredible amount of energy, which is translated into movement through the mechanical components of an engine. The engineering philosophy of the combustion engine has changed little since the earliest designs were conceived in the late 19th century. Today the most predominant types of engines are still the four stroke or two stroke configurations. However that does not lessen the desire to develop the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to understand and translate current and emerging automotive technologies into future products in engineering schools worldwide.
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