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Nicolas Cugnot, a French military engineer, developed a steam powered road-vehicle for the French army to haul heavy cannons.
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Oliver Evans is given the first automobile patent in the US. In 1805 Evans created the first automobile in the USA and also the steam powered vehicle and was able to travel on wheels on land.
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Belgian born engineer, Jean Jospeh Etienne Lenoir invented and patented 1860 2 stroke, internal combustion engine. It was fuelled by coal gas and triggered by an electric spark-ignition.
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Combustion Engine Julius Hock builds the first internal combustion engine that runs on liquid gasoline.
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2 former French wood machinists, Rene Panhard and Emile Levassor, set up the world’s first car manufacturers. Their first car was built in 1890 using a Daimler engine.
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Wilhelm Maybach built the first four-cylinder, four-stroke engine.
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The Ford Moter Company is formed, After fitting moving assembly lines to the factory in 1913, Ford became the world’s biggest car manufacturer.
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Charles Kettering invented the electric ignition and starter motor. Cars could now start themselves.
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First single foot pedal operates 4-wheel brakes, the Hispano- Suiza H6B, a French luxury car, demonstrates the first single foot pedal to operate coupled four-wheel brakes. Previously drivers had to apply a hand brake and a foot brake simultaneously.
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Power steering system introduced, Invented in the 1920’s by Francis W. Davis and George Jessup in Waltham. Massachusetts.
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First air conditioned cars, The Nash Motor Company adds the first air conditioning system.
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Airbag is invented, Invented by John W. Hetrick of Newport, PA, in 1951 and he patented the device the following year.
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The Toyota Prius, made for individual travel for the future, is the first mass produced car.
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Honda reveals the first production ready hydrogen car, FXC Clarity.