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German inventor Karl Benz creates the first motor car, called the Benz Patent-Motorwagon. It had 3 wheels; 1 at the front and 2 at the rear which were the driving wheels. It had 4 cylinders which generated enough power to drive at 16 km/h: virtually corresponding to the power of a single horse.
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Michelin introduces the first pneumatic car tyre, which is a tyre made of reinforced rubber and filled with compressed air. Pneumatic tyres were a breakthrough in the automobile industry as the air absorbed a large amount of shock coming from the uneven road.
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Henry Ford opens the Ford Motor Company and sells 1,700 cars in the first year. Five years later he introduces the first Model-T car, otherwise known as the Tin Lizzie. The car is generally considered the first affordable automobile.
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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. Even now, some cars still adopt this sytem.
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Police officer Lester Wire invents the first electric traffic light which used red, green and amber lights. The first actual light was installed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1914.
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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.
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Parry Thomas sets the new land speed record in Pendine Wales, UK with a speed of 272km/h in the Babs land speed record car.
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The Delaware company uses a thermal interrupter to create the flashing turn signal. Turn signals are of paramount importance in the present day and prevent many motor accidents
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Nash Motor Company installs the first air conditioner system.
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The first seatbelt is installed in the Saab GT750 in Sweden.
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The first air bags were fitted to GM's Pontiacs, Oldsmobiles and Cadillacs, signaling the industry's new found commitment to customer safety.
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The Thrust SSC (Super Sonic Car) broke the land speed record by traveling at 1228 km/h.
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The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 has the potential to travel at speeds of up to 431 km/h and is dubbed the fastest commercial production car.