The car may seem like it has been around forever. However, it is a relatively new invention that was invented and perfected in the late 1800s and early 1900s. When the internal combustion engine (ICE) as we know it was still under development. Follow through our History of Cars Infographic for a better understanding of how far the car has come.
Breakdown of The History of Cars
Pre-1800s – Before 1886, there were notable experiments and innovations by fewer talked-about geniuses among them Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot a Frenchman who designed a three-wheel, self-propelled vehicle powered by steam, in 1769. In the 1830s, a Scot, Robert Anderson invented the first crude-electric-carriage.
1885 – Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach, pioneers of the internal combustion engine (ICE) partnered and designed the world’s first modern engine.
1886 – Karl Benz patents the first automobile named, Motorwagen. Although there were other automobile inventions prior, Benz gets credit because he was the first to patent a car. A three-wheeled motorwagon.
1901 – First Car
Wilhelm Maybach working for Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) designed what was considered the first ever fully developed modern car.
1901 – The first hybrid car was launched in 1901 by Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of Porsche. He named it Lohner-Porsche Semper Vivus.
1903 – Henry Ford a seasoned inventor had in 1896 designed a Quadricycle. In 1903, he mechanized Ford’s assembly line making car production faster and efficient.
1908 – Ford introduced the Model T which was targeted at the masses. Thanks to the improved assembly line, Ford went on to become the biggest car manufacturer at the time, setting the bar for car assembly lines.
1942 – Car manufacturers around the world were heavily involved in the development and manufacture of military vehicles and equipment. The military Jeep became a symbol of the era and set the stage for SUVs. Great advancements in car technology were made during this era.
1946 – After the end of WWII the Bug was rolled out for the people. Initially designed by Ferdinand Porsche in 1938 under the stewardship of Adolf Hitler, production of the Bettle was halted by the war.
1950 – With many car companies around the world, cars were cheaper and people began buying more cars
1973 – The Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) proclaimed an oil embargo on nations that had supported Israel in the Ramadhan War causing an oil hike of close to 300%
1980 – Japan Joins the Foray
By now Japan had a booming car industry with multiple brands in competition. Their cars were big on fuel efficiency and after the oil shocks of 1973 and 1979, Japan became the largest auto producer.
1990 – Following the oil shocks and a growing concern for environmental pollution, regulations forced major innovations in reducing gas emissions. At this time hybrid cars started to make a comeback.
1997 – The quintessential Toyota Prius Hybrid was released by Toyota, kicking off a new era. When you hear of a hybrid, you probably think of the Prius.
2008 – The financial recession of 2008 caused many consumers to trade their large cars for smaller, efficient cars. Hybrid car sales increased.
2012 – Tesla came into the market and revolutionized the car scene. Tesla Model S put the automaker on the map, and it has gone on to be a huge success. Tesla challenged other major car manufacturers who are now heavily invested in hybrid and electric vehicle development.
Today – Cars have come a long way, and we can only watch as automakers scamper to outdo each other in the race to replace gas-powered cars. In the region, electric cars are starting to make an entry. Stay tuned to our blog for more.
There you have it – the history of cars infographic. Cars continue to revolutionize our way of life. Thanks to them, traveling is no longer a luxury, development is all over no matter the distance, emergencies are easier to deal with, and car enthusiasts have communities they can call family. It has been interesting, painstaking, and fulfilling working on the history of cars infographic. We do not stop here, bank on us to scavenge, review, and research everything that is going on in the motoring scene. Especially the electric revolution.
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