The first mass-produced car, the Ford Model T, was introduced in 1908 and cost around $850 when it first came out. While this was still a significant sum of money at the time, it was considerably cheaper than earlier models of cars, which could cost anywhere from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. As a result, the Model T quickly became popular among middle-class Americans, and car ownership began to spread beyond the upper classes.
Additionally, the expansion of paved roads and the development of filling stations during this period made cars more accessible and allowed them to be used for more purposes beyond recreation.
