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History of the Automobile  at a Glance.

On the road there are now more than half a billion cars worldwide, and perhaps, two or three ones are built every second.  There is an enormous variety of motor transport to all kinds of vehicles that can be driven, and motorbikes that can reach great speeds. However, all need brakes, driven by an engine (or motor) and most need gears to control the car’s engine.

The Early Automobiles

The first petrol-powered automobile was made in 1885 by German engineer Karl Benz, who developed his own version of the petrol engine and used it to power a three-wheeled carriage.

1885 Three-Wheeled Benz Patent Motorwagen

The prototype of today’s car was developed in France by  René Panhard and Émile Lavassor in 1891, when they mounted a Gottlieb Daimler petrol engine in the front of their vehicle.

Until 1898, when Louis Renault invented the drive shaft, engine power was transferred to the drive wheels via a chain, as on bicycles.

Early 20th Century

During the first decade of the 20th century, cars evolved from motorized versions of the carriages previously driven by horses.  The basic layout of the modern car was set on by which the engine is in the front of a four wheeled machine and all the passengers facing forwards. Later, the pressed-steel body made cars stronger and easier to produce were introduced.

Ford Model T

In 1908,  the first type of car to sell more than 1 million was the Model T Ford. Determined to corner the market and to produce cars that people can afford, Henry Ford adapted and improved the mass-production method pioneered by Ransom Eli Olds (1864–1950), pioneer of the American automotive industry for whom both the Oldsmobile and REO brands were named.  Parts were manufactured in separate workshops and wheeled into the main factory so that workers can put the cars together. It took just over 12 hours to build each car.

Henry Ford and Mass-Production to Building Cars

From 1910, Henry Ford’s company applied mass production to car building. He saved money by having materials in bulk and cut production time by giving employees just one task to perform as the cars moved swiftly through the factory. Soon other manufacturers copied his techniques cutting the cost of new cars, and making it easier for people to buy their own.

The Smart Car Developed by Mercedes-Benz and Swatch

The Smart Car developed by Swatch and Mercedes-Benz is a two-seater designed for use in crowded cities, handy to be parked in a narrow street, and with hardly obstruction to traffic. Also, it has an economical engine and easily replaceable body panels. Its sale in Europe began in 1998.

Advances in Car Safety

As the number of road deaths became a public concern, by the 1970s, advances in car safety were developed to protect passengers. Seat belts, air bags, safety cages and crumple zones that absorb the energy of a crash were all introduced. Technology has it that traction control and anti-lock brakes were put in place to reduce likely accidents.

The Nissan Leaf is an all-electric launched in Dec 2010

Cars History Timeline

1769 – French engineer and mechanic Nicholas Joseph Cugnot builds a steam-powered tractor.

1789 – The first U.S. patent for a steam-powered land vehicle was granted to Oliver Evans.

1801 – A road carriage was built by Richard Trevithick. It was powered by steam.

1807 – François Isaac de Rivaz of Switzerland invented an internal combustion engine that used a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen for fuel.

1816 – John McAdam makes cambered roads of stone blocks with gravel in between.

1823 – Samuel Brown invents an internal combustion engine with separate combustion and working cylinders, used to power a vehicle.

1832-1839 – Scottish inventor Robert Anderson invented the first crude electric-powered carriage.  The exact year is uncertain.

1860 – Etienne Lenoir introduces engines powered by coal gas.

1863 – Lenoir takes his automobile for the first drive.

1876- The four-stroke internal-combustion engine is assembled by Nikolaus Otto.

1885 – The first practical car is developed by Karl Benz.

1893 – Karl Benz mass produces the ideal car.

1903 – Henry Ford begins to manufacture automobiles.

1908 – The first Model T Ford comes off the production line.

1912 – A British company builds the first car with a steel body.

1929 – General Motors introduces synchromesh transmission.

1937 – The Volksvagen Beetle is launched in Germany.

1940s – Snowmobiles was introduced by Joseph Bombardier.

1959 – The Mini is launched by the British Motor Corporation

1974 – American scientist Victor Wouk fits a Buick Skylark with a hybrid engine.

1970s – Unleaded petrol is introduced to reduce air pollution by lead.

Readers may also want to read this related article:   History of Motorsport Car Race and Car Rally

Today’s cars include numerous models and makes – classic cars, supercars, and everyday cars:

Sources:

• Ellyard, David. Great Inventions of our Time.  Sydney: New Holland (2007).

• Science and Technology Year by Year. The Five Mile Press (2001).

• www.netcarshow.com for list of  car models. Accessed October 25, 2011

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