As you listen to the rev of the engine from your 4 wheeler, you tear over rocky terrain, hills and valleys. You can feel the wind in your hair and the dust in your teeth. Riding a 4 wheeler allows you to defeat treacherous terrain in ways never before possible.

Four-wheelers are all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) that were first developed in the 1970s. Early models featured giant balloon tires in lieu of suspension. The first models were designed purely for recreational use. A decade later, suspension was introduced to ATVs, which allowed for less gargantuan tires. Soon, not only were people using their ATVs for recreation, but for work as well.

Hunters in the United States and Canada have found the 4 wheeler, often referred to as a quad bike or quad cycle, to be useful when collecting traps or tracking prey. By the mid-'80s, the 4 wheeler was catching on as a working vehicle. Four-wheelers have always remained very popular recreation vehicles, though, especially among the extreme sports set.

ATVs have become extraordinarily useful for ranchers and farmers who need to cover large tracts of land to do their work. Four-wheelers are used by park rangers to manage large parks and nature preserves. Veterinarians and technicians at wildlife preserves find these vehicles extremely useful for observing animals and administering medication. The 4 wheeler has gone from a recreational toy to an indispensable tool for certain industries.