a) The Federal-Aid Highway Act

The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 authorized the construction of a vast network of interstate highways, significantly impacting the automotive industry and American travel. Championed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, this act led to the development of over 40,000 miles of interstate highways, facilitating efficient cross-country travel and commerce. The highway system reshaped the American landscape, influenced urban and suburban development, and played a key role in the growth of the automobile culture in the United States.