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First Self-Propelled Vehicle
Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot invented the first self propelled road vehicle. This was a three wheeled military tractor for the French army. -
First True Autmobile
Karl Friedrich Benz invented the first true automobile in Germany. This was a gasoline automobile powered by an internal combustion engine. -
Ford Motor Company Established
Henry Ford opens the Ford Motor Company and sells 1,700 cars in the first year. -
Introduction of the Model T
Henry Ford created the first car that would be affordable for the majority of Americans. This changed the way Americans lived, worked, and traveled. -
First Assembly Line for Automobiles
Henry Ford created the first moving assembly line for the mass production of an entire automobile. This reduced the time it took to build a car from more than 12 hours to 2 hours and 30 minutes. -
Flashing Turn Signals Invented
The Delaware company uses a thermal interrupter to create the flashing turn signal -
Seat belts are Invented
The three-point seat belt was invented by Nihls Bohlin. In 1964, Studebaker-Packard was the first company to introduce seat belts as standard equipment on all of its vehicles. Soon all vehicles had them. Laws were made in some states and safety was a major part of cars. -
Cars Go Green
Car manufacturers realize that the oil reserves will evenutally dry up and they develop an engine that uses more than one fuel source. These are hybrid engines. -
First Autonomous Car Able to Buy
The Navia is designed for closed environments, like a resort, and its top speed is 12 miles an hour, or about the same as gasoline powered cars in 1895. -
Four Wheel Brake System Implemented
The first automobile fitted for four wheel brakes was created by the Scottish. The front brakes are operated by a foot pedal, while the back brakes are controlled by a hand lever. -
Airbag Installed
The first air bag was fitted to GM cars Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Cadillac.
