-
The First Self-propelled Car was Built
Nicolas Cugnot, a French military engineer developed a steam powered road-vehicle for the French army to haul heavy cannons. -
First Automobile Patent in U.S.
The first automobile patent in the United States was granted to Oliver Evans in 1789. Later, in 1805, Evans demonstrated his first successful self-propelled vehicle, which not only was the first automobile in the USA but was also the first amphibious vehicle, as his steam-powered vehicle was able to travel on wheels on land and via a paddle wheel in the water. -
First Coal-gas engine
Discovery
Belgian-born engineer, Jean Joseph Étienne Lenoir invented and patented a two-stroke, internal combustion engine.This engine was fuelled by coal gas and casused by an electric spark-ignition. -
First Gasoline Car
Timeline.com
It is generally acknowledged that the first automobiles with gasoline powered internal combustion engines were completed almost simultaneously by several German inventors working independently: Karl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach. -
First Road Traffic Death
Bridget Driscoll, a 44-year old mother of two from Croydon, stepped off a kerb and was hit by a passing motor car near Crystal Palace in London (She died from head injuries). -
4x4 Patent
Allisons.org
Felix and Norman Caldwell of South Australia applied for a patent for four wheel drive with four wheel steering; they went on to build Caldwell Vale 4x4 trucks with Henry Vale. -
First Air Conditioned Car
The Nash Motor Company adds the first air conditioning system to cars. -
Toyota Unveils the Prius
PBS
Toyota unveils the Prius -- the world's first commercially mass-produced and marketed hybrid car -- in Japan. Nearly 18,000 units are sold during the first production year
