History of Automobiles

Contrary to many inventions, the automobile wasn't an immediate conception by an innovative inventor, there were many landmarks. You will be surprised to know it's estimated that there are a 100,000 patents for the automobile.

First theoretical plan - Leonardo Da Vinci & Isaac Newton
It is believed that Leonardo Da Vinci and Isaac Newton drew up the first theoretical plan for a motor vehicle.

First steam powered vehicle 1672 Ferdinand Verbiest
Ferdinand Verbiest designed the first known vehicle which was steam powered. It is the first automobile to be recorded in history. He was actually making a small toy for the Chinese emperor. This could not have a driver or passenger as it was really small.

First ever self propelled vehicle 1769 Nicolas Joseph Cugnot
Nicolas Joseph Cugnot made a automobile by utilizing a three wheeler vehichle which used to be horse drawn. It was self propelled and mechanical. Many experts consider it just an experiment as he did not accomplish anything but it was nevertheless an important landmark.

First human pedaled, three wheel carriage 1780s Ivan Kublibin
Ivan Kubilin of Russia made the first vehicle having modern features like ball bearings, brakes, gearbox and a flywheel.

First ever locomotive-1801 Richard Trevithick
Richard Trevithick made the first locomotive which was actually used on the roads. It faced a lot of problems as the pressure of the steam was never enough to sustain for long distance travel.

First internal combustion engine-1806-Francois Isaac De Riyaz
Francois Isaac Di Riyaz of Switzerland made the first vehicle which was fueled by hydrogen and oxygen. The design was new but had too many drawbacks.

First electric carraige1832-1839 Robert Anderson
Robert Anderson made the first electric carriage in Scotland in between the years from 1832 and 1839.

Working engine powered by electricity 1881 Gustave Trourve
Gustave Trourve of French origin made the first automobile which worked and was electrically powered.

Four Stroke engine 1879-1885- Karl Benz
The credit for modern automobiles is all of Karl Benz. He created the first four stroke engine. He patented it under his company known as 'Benz and Cie'.

Low price mass produced car-Henry Ford and Ransom Olds
Gas powered vehicles were mass produced by Henry Fort and vehicles which were affordable were mass produced by him.

Omnibus with Steam Engine-1904- Yamada.
The first Japanese automobiles made in Japan was Yamada powered with steam engine.

Omnibus with Gasoline-1905- Yoshida
Yoshidas omnibus which used gasoline was amongst the first Japanese cars.

Electric self starter and engine, four wheel breaks, independent suspension- early twentieth century- competition
Competition picked up in the 20th century bringing in the latest features into automobiles improving the quality of vehicles.

Other inventions and safety devices
Gradually cars became from an invention into a necessity. Today's cars and trucks from Japan have very modern designs.