Timeline: The History of Cars

1885

Horseless-Carriage

In 1885, engineer Karl Benz built the "Horseless Carriage", witch is now considered the first automobile. https://www.factcite.com/useh/4000237full.html

1908

Model T

In the 1900's Henry Ford came out with the first affordable automobile called the Model T. He used a new system called the assembly line to mass produce them. https://www.brainpop.com/topic/cars/transcript/

1912

Electric Starter

Cadillac introduces the first electric starter. This event eliminates the driver from having to hand crank the car to start it. https://www.history.com/articles/car-history-timeline

1927

Model A

A few years after Henry Ford made the Model T he came out with the new Model A, to beat his competitor, General Motors Corporation. https://www.factcite.com/useh/4000237full.html

1930

First Radio in the Car

In the year 1930, the Galvin Manufacturing Corporation successfully installed the first radio into a car. There were attempts to do this before but none were very successful. https://www.history.com/articles/car-history-timeline

1939

Air Conditioning

In 1940, Packard became the first car manufacturer to have an air conditioning unit in its cars. However it was not commercially successful and was discontinued in 1941. this was because of the many mechanical issues it had. https://www.motortrend.com/news/automotive-air-conditoning-history

1940

First Ever Jeep

In 1940, Willy's-Overland made the first ever Jeep for the United States Army. https://www.history.com/articles/car-history-timeline

1949

Car Keys

In 1949, Chrysler became the first to manufacture keys to start the engine. Before that, someone could have easily stolen a car just by cranking it to get it started. https://www.history.com/articles/car-history-timeline

1959

Seat Belts

An ex-aviation engineer develops a V-shaped, three-point seat belt for Volvo. The United States does not require them until 1968. https://www.history.com/articles/car-history-timeline