Automobile’s History Overview

Although such attempts were done before consider that one of the first auto was created by Karl Friedrich Benz who was a German automobile engineer. It was a single-cylinder, water-cooled, 958 cm³, 0.75 hp (560 W) unit, but the whole three-wheeled vehicle, and it was first driven through Mannheim in 1885 by his wife Bertha Benz. Simultaneously Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach in Stuttgart made the motorized vehicle. They also are known as inventors of the first motor bike.

The chronological scale of automobile history is here (British classification). All vehicles are divided into two large classes; Antique (1885–1979) and Modern (1980–present). By its part antique autos are subdivided into four group; Veteran (1885–1904), Brass or Edwardian (1905–1918), Vintage (1919–1930) and Classic (1931–car over 25 years old). These groups also called eras. In addition in Classic era there are two periods: Pre-war (1931–1948) and Post-war (1949–1979). Antique period is the most interesting when every year new technologies were being invented step by step, vehicles were becoming faster, cheaper and safer.


First mass automobiles manufacturing for people began in Veteran era. Up to 1900 there were already car producing companies in France and USA. One of the first companies was Parhard et Levassor; formed in 1889, in France. The company was quickly followed by Peugeot two years later. In the United States in 1893 was founded the Duryea Motor Wagon Company, becoming the first American automobile manufacturing company. Moreover Oldsmobile (dominated in this era), Cadillac, Winton and Ford were largest auto-producers of that time.



Next automobile era is called Brass or Edwardian, during this era, development of automotive technology was rapid, that time appeared lots of small manufacturers and majority of sales shifted from the hobbyist and enthusiast to the average user. That time were founded such companies as Chevrolet and Isuzu. Henry Leyland former head of Cadillac began new Lincoln Motor Company. Lots of inventions were done. It is electric ignition and the electric self-starter both were invented by Charles Kettering, for the Cadillac Motor Company. Engineers devised independent suspension, and four-wheel brakes. The most vivid models of this era were Ford Model T, Bugatti Type 13, Maxwell AA Runabout and Mercedes Simplex.


The Vintage era changed appearance of automobiles; the most recognizable features came front engine location, instead of middle engine, closed body types of vehicles. Also multi-valve and overhead cam, V8, V12, and even V16 engines were produced. Cars became much more practical, convenient and comfortable during this period. Car heating was introduced, as was the in-car radio. Instead of ...