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First motor invented
German inventor Karl Benz creates the first motor car, called the Benz Patent-Motorwagon. -
The first pneumatic car tyre invented
Michelin introduces the fire pneumatic car tire, which is a tire made of reinforced rubber and filled with compressed air. -
Electric car broke the 1 mile a minute
Frenchman Camille Jenatzy`s electric car broke the one mile a minute barrier. 1 mile a minute is 97 kph. -
Ford motor company established
Henry Ford opens the Ford Motor Company and sells 1,700 cars in the first year. -
Ford introduces the Tin Lizzie
Henry Ford introduces the first Model-T car, otherwise known as the Tin Lizzie. The car is generally considered the first affordable automobile. -
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. -
Henry Ford applied the concept of assembly line production
In the 1910's, Henry Ford applied the concept of assembly line production to the process that an affordable and dependable vehicle became widely available. Consequently, the Model T sold 15 million units between its debut in 1908 and its discontinuation in 1927 and set the template for car design going forward. -
First moving assembly line invented
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. -
First windscreen wipers fitted to a motorcar
Willys-Knight of the USA fits mechanical windscreen wipers to a car. -
Snubbed chassis and box-like wheelbase of the Model T
In the 1920's, the rapid expansion of infrastructure in the US meant that the rugged, tractor-like build of turn-of-the-century vehicles could be swapped for longer, lower, and more elegant designs that became symbolic of the Roaring 20’s. -
20th Century
The development of the high-speed diesel engine. -
New land speed record set
Parry Thomas sets the new land speed record in Pendine Wales, UK with a speed of 272km/h. -
Engineering innovation: monocoque
In the 1930's, a huge engineering innovation known as the monocoque, or single hull chassis made cars lighter, easier to produce, and more structurally sound. Distinct features like fenders, headlights and runner boards all started to be integrated into the body and two tone exterior color schemes fell out of favor. -
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. -
Flashing 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. -
The Beetle is introduced.
Volkswagen starts producing the famous Beetle car in Germany. -
First air conditioning system installed
Nash Motor Company installs the first air conditioner system. -
"Pontoon" the culmination of the decade
In the 1940's, from the French for “pontoon,” this was the culmination of the decade-long trend to blend things like runner boards, headlights and fenders into a single uninterrupted form. Aerodynamically sound and visually cohesive, the bulging hoods and bulbous headlights that flowed continuously with the car’s surface also created a svelte and muscular effect that jived well with the cultural attitudes of the James Bond era. -
Land speed record broken
John Cobb drives a Railton Mobile Special 634 km/h at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. -
First All-Australian car
The first all-australian car was the Holden 48-215 and was commonly known as the FX. -
Some of the most enduring vehicles of the era
In the 1950's, some of the most enduring vehicles of the era include the Cooper Mini, Volkswagen Beetle, and Citroen DS, all of which deviated from the excessively finned, chrome widebody designs that hallmarked US auto production. Carmakers also started to experiment with fresh colors; ice cream parlour pastels and multi-colored exteriors defined the decade. -
First seatbelt installed
The first seatbelt is installed in the Saab GT750 in Sweden. -
BMC Mini starts production
Alec Issignosis designed the Mini as a tiny car with a roomy interior at an affrodable price. The original design Mini was made until 2000. -
New companies coming
In the 1960's, the smaller, less cumbersome design ethic of cars from companies like Toyota, Nissan and a range of European companies filled a sizeable gap in the US market. At the same time, a new generation of US brawn was being born. Pony cars, like the iconic Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro, featured extended hoods and low-profile cabins in a compact and affordable package. Also, metallic paints showed up for the first time. -
Lamborghini was founded
The popular automobile company Lamborghini was founded by Ferrico Lamb. High-end sports cars began hitting the market. -
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. -
Honda creates first production-ready hydrogen car
In response to concerns about the world's finite supply of oil, Honda reveals the first production-ready hydrogen car: the FCX Clarity. -
Europe introduces first law to limit car CO2
After the car industry does not comply with a voluntary commitment to limit CO2 emissions in new cars, the EU introduces its first law to do this. -
VW Presents the 1-liter car
As the world became more concerned with pollution, VW unveiled the first 1-litre car: the L1. It could travel 100km on 1 litre of petrol. -
New electric world land speed record
Paul Drayson breaks the electric world land speed record in his Lola B12 69/EV vehicle. The car hit a top speed of 204.2mph (328.6km/h). Drayson said: "By setting this new world record...it is a pointer to the future - the technology that we developed for this car will filter down to the cars we use every day." Among those at the track on the day were Google's Eric Schmidt. Google, among others, is investing heavily in electric transport as an R&D project. -
Electric formula car racing will launch
The FIA will launch the first electric car championship in 2014. The EU has applauded this move in helping to make electric cars more popular. Competitors will include Nissan and in 2015, Drayson racing. The 7 locations for races will include London, Rome, Miami, Beijing and Rio de Janeiro.
