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First road-vehicle
Nicolas Cugnot, a French military engineer developed a steam powered road-vehicle for the French army to haul heavy cannons (yourdiscovery). -
Britain’s steam powered cars
Past CarsRichard Trevithick improved the design of steam engines, by making smaller and lighter with stronger boilers generating more power. In 1801, he put one of his new compact steam engines on wheels. -
Stroke of genius
Nikolaus August Otto invented and later patented a successful four-stroke engine, known as the "Otto cycle" (yourdiscovery). -
The Ford Motor Company Formed
After fitting moving assembly lines to the factory in 1913, Ford became the world's biggest car manufacturer. -
Key development
Working for Cadillac’s design and development department, Charles Kettering invented the electric ignition and starter motor. Cars could now start themselves. -
The Electric Car
Hisory of the CarDuring the 1920s the electric car ceases to be a viable commercial product. The electric car's downfall is attributable to a number of factors, including the desire for longer distance vehicles, their lack of horsepower, and the ready availability of gasoline -
The Toyota Prius
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 -
Roadsters
Roadsters PhotosTesla Motors publicly unveils the ultra-sporty Tesla Roadster at the San Francisco International Auto Show in November. The first production Roadsters will be sold in 2008 with a base price listing of $98,950.
