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Although the earliest vehicle has been recorded as early as 1769, some people believe that the date should really actually read 1806, when combustion engines were introduced. It wasn’t actually until 1885 that the first gasoline engine came about though.
Historically, cars have been divided into three separate era’s, the first being steam powered. It’s thought that these vehicles came about in the late 18th Century. For example, a gentleman by the name of Cugnot showed off his steam driven vehicle back in 1770, William Murdoch had a model by 1784, and Richard Trevithick showed off his version in 1801. In the United States, Oliver Evans patented the first automobile on record in the year of 1789. His vehicle was the first in the country and it was also a water vehicle.
Most people will agree to the fact that the first gasoline powered vehicles were developed in Germany. Karl Benz is credited with the first vehicle in the year 1885.
The next era is the veteran era, which began yet again with Karl Benz from Germany who put out the first vehicle in 1888. He was not the only one developing automobiles though. There was also Rudolf Egg and Edward Butler among others. France and the United States started mass producing vehicles in 1900.
The United States had the Duryea Brothers who formed their automobile company in 1893. Ransom Olds, started what is now known as Oldsmobile. And, in a little over a year, Henry Ford was in production with his company too.
It’s amazing how many different types of technology were employed to manufacture and run cars in the early days of automobile history. In fact, it is interesting to note that way back in 1910 they were looking at ideas that are now in use in the fields of gas/electric hybrids and four wheel drives.
The next era is the Edwardian era or brass era. This era began in 1905. This era showed the development of front engine vehicles and rear wheel drive. It was followed closely in 1915 by the vintage era in which the internal combustion engine was focused on and updated very rapidly.
Then the pre-war era started in 1930. The development to cars was mostly done on the bodies of the vehicles. Front wheel drive was re-introduced to the market also in the 1930’s.
After the war, engineers turned their attention to Engine size and introduced the V8 engine. It seems that for years after this engine power plus the speed a vehicle would go was the biggest focus. Each company wanting to build a bigger engine with more power and speed.
Now there are so many advancements on vehicles that consumers could spend countless hours of time learning about all the changes. And, with gas prices climbing, natural gas or water fueled cars may even come out in the future.
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Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?History-of-the-Automobile&id=1587727
