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First motor invented.
German inventor Karl Benz creates the first motor car, called the Benz Patent-Motorwagon. -
Ford Motor Company established.
Henry Ford opens the Ford Motor Company and sells 1,700 cars in the first year. -
First four wheel brake system implemented.
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. -
electric traffic light invented.
Police officer Lester Wire invents the first electric traffic light. The first actual light was installed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1914. -
First car radio installed.
Galvin Manufacturing Corporated, under the direction of Paul V. Galvin and Joseph E. Glavin invest and install the first car radio. -
turn signals invented.
The Delaware company uses a thermal interrupter to create the flashing turn signal. -
First diesel passenger car introduced.
Mercedes-Benz introduces the 260-D, the first diesel passenger car. By 1939, there was a fifteen month waiting list for the car. -
Lamborghini was founded.
The popular automobile company Lamborghini was founded by Ferrico Lamb. High-end sports cars began hitting the market. -
Beetle is introduced.
Volkswagen starts producing the famous Beetle car in Germany. -
air conditioning system installed.
Nash Motor Company installs the first air conditioner system. -
First seatbelt installed.
The first seatbelt is installed in the Saab GT750 in Sweden. -
First airbag installed.
The first air bag was fitted to GM cars Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Cadillac = signaling the industry's new found commitment to customer safety. -
land speed record broken.
Richard Noble drives a Thrust 2 to 1019 km/h in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. The car was propelled by a Rolls Royce jet engine. -
Land speed record broken once more.
The Thrust SSC (Super Sonic Car) broke the land speed record by traveling at 1228 km/h. -
The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 becomes the fastest commercial production car.
The car has the potential to travel at speeds of up to 431 km/h.