On the Road

Updated August 5, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

Most people think Henry Ford invented the automobile. But in fact, the modern automobile was invented in Germany by Karl Benz in 1885. The first American cars were made by the Duryea Brothers in 1892. In 1908, Ford produced an inexpensive assembly line car, the Model T.

Library of Congress

6500 B.C.

The wheel is invented by the Sumerians.

3500

Animals pull wheeled vehicles in Mesopotamia.

44

The wheelbarrow is invented by the Chinese.

A.D. 1769

The first steam-powered vehicle, with three wheels, is invented in France.

1791

The bicycle is invented in Scotland.

1792

The ambulance is created for Napoleon's army.

1839

The electric car is invented in Scotland.

1869

The modern motorcycle is invented in Germany.

1871

The cable streetcar is invented in the United States.

1885

The first car with internal-cumbustion engine is invented in Germany.

1892

The first car is run by gasoline in the United States.

1892

The tractor is invented in the United States.

1893

The license plate is invented in France.

1895

The diesel engine is invented in Germany.

1905

The hybrid car is invented in the United States.

1908

The Model T car is the first car mass produced on an assembly line in the United States.

1923

The traffic signal is invented in the United States.

1959

The seat belt is invented in Sweden.

1980

Rollerblades are invented in the United States.

2001

The Segway human transporter is invented in the United States.

For more inventions, see Inventions & Discoveries.

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