Cars timeline

First motor invented.

May 14, 1886

German inventor Karl Benz creates the first motor car, called the Benz Patent-Motorwagon.

First pneumatic car tire invented.

Jun 4, 1895

Michelin introduces the fire pneumatic car tire, which is a tire made of reinforced rubber and filled with compressed air.

Ford Motor Company established.

Jul 19, 1903

Henry Ford opens the Ford Motor Company and sells 1,700 cars in the first year.

Ford introduces the Tin Lizzie.

Nov 16, 1908

Henry Ford introduces the first Model-T car, otherwise known as the Tin Lizzie. The car is generally considered the first affordable automobile.

First four wheel brake system implemented.

Jun 4, 1910

The Scottish made Argyll is the first automobile fitted for four wheel brakes. The front brakes are operated by a foot pedal, while the back brakes are controlled by a hand lever.

First electric traffic light invented.

May 30, 1912

Police officer Lester Wire invents the first electric traffic light. The first actual light was installed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1914.

First moving assembly line invented.

Jan 1, 1913

Ford Motor Company invents and implements that first moving assembly line designed for cars. The production of automobiles is radically transformed, leading to the production of more cars than ever before.

New land speed record set.

Apr 28, 1926

Parry Thomas sets the new land speed record in Pendine Wales, UK with a speed of 272km/h.

First car radio installed.

Mar 8, 1933

Galvin Manufacturing Corporated, under the direction of Paul V. Galvin and Joseph E. Glavin invest and install the first car radio.

Flashing turn signals invented.

Jan 1, 1935

The Delaware company uses a thermal interrupter to create the flashing turn signal.

First diesel passenger car introduced.

Jun 4, 1936

Mercedes-Benz introduces the 260-D, the first diesel passenger car. By 1939, there was a fifteen month waiting list for the car.

The Beetle is introduced.

Jun 4, 1938

Volkswagen starts producing the famous Beetle car in Germany.

First air conditioning system installed.

Jan 1, 1939

Nash Motor Company installs the first air conditioner system.

Land speed record broken.

Sep 16, 1947

John Cobb drives a Railton Mobile Special 634 km/h at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

First seatbelt installed.

May 4, 1958

The first seatbelt is installed in the Saab GT750 in Sweden.

Lamborghini was founded.

Oct 30, 1963

The popular automobile company Lamborghini was founded by Ferrico Lamb. High-end sports cars began hitting the market.

First airbag installed.

Jun 19, 1974

The first air bag was fitted to GM cars Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Cadillac = signaling the industry's new found commitment to customer safety.