No one person can take credit for the modern automobile. A more accurate description would be to say that the automobile has evolved over the course of the past two centuries or so.

Before 1850

The first self propelled car was built in 1769. It was a three-wheel cart powered by a steam engine used to help the French military pull cannons. It reportedly reached walking speeds, and it even moved fast enough for the two-ton machine to knock down a brick wall-- the world’s first automobile accident. No ticket was given. Early inventors thought steam was the way to go for automatized land transportation, and the first U.S. patent for a steam powered land vehicle was granted to Oliver Evans in 1789. After that, Englishman Richard Trevithick successfully designed a steam powered carriage to transport passengers in 1801. Next came a hydrogen-oxygen gas powered engine that Samuel Brown used to power a vehicle up Shooter’s Hill in London.

Before Ford

In 1858, Belgian Jean Joseph Étienne Lenoir patented a two-stroke internal combustion engine powered by coal gas. Seven years later, the United Kingdom established the first speed limit for horseless carriages-- 4 miles per hour in the country and 2 in the city. The four-stroke engine came about in 1876, and George Baldwin filed for the first U.S. patent for an automobile with an internal combustion enginein 1879. Just a few years later in 1886, Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz, working separately, built the first "modern" automobile. The motor age had begun. The first car company was formed in 1889, followed by Gran Prix racing in 1894, the first road traffic fatality occurred in 1896, and the establishment of Ford Motor Company in 1903. In 1908 the Ford Model T became the first mass produced vehicle.

After Ford

In 1911, Charles Kettering invented the electric starter, making it no longer necessary to crank the motor to start a vehicle. By 1830, Kettering developed independent suspension and four-wheel breaks. In 1926, power steering was introduced. In 1928, the first stretch-limos were made and in 1931, Mercedes-Benz created the first independent front suspension. Automobile makers weren’t just concerned with functionality-- they wanted the ride to be more comfortable as well. In 1939, for example, the first air conditioned car was made.

World War II and the Post-War Years

World War II led to technological innovations that revolutionized the automobile industry. The army needed a light weight all-terrain vehicle to transport goods and men to and from battle. The U.S. automobile industry, as a result, supplied the U.S. military with the first jeep. Post-war innovations include the first V-8 engine and much faster and better looking cars. Power windows came about in 1940, and the convenient automobile began to take shape. With increased speeds came the need for increased safety; hence, the airbag came about in 1951. By 1965, emissions standards were introduced in California and seat belts became a mandatory part of all vehicles.

The Modern Era

Most modern cars are front-wheel drive, uni-body designs with transversely-mounted engines. Although something resembling the hatchback (1970), minivan (1950) and SUV (1960) were built years earlier, they became dominant prototypes in the 80s, 90s, and 00s. Alternative energy vehicles came on the scene in 1992 in hopes that the U.S. consumer could wean itself off foreign oil. This was followed by the green movement in 1997 in an effort to promote a cleaner planet. Although most Americans prefer large automobiles, smaller hybrids like the Toyota Prius are gaining popularity.

The Future

There’s no telling what the future holds. Perhaps we’ll all be zooming around using electric powered Jetson-like rocket packs, or maybe water-powered SUVs will hit the market. If it makes transportation more convenient, faster or comfortable then it’s sure to be a hit.