Histopedia

The world’s first practical motor car is widely considered to be the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, built by Karl Benz in 1885-1886. This vehicle had a single-cylinder four-stroke engine and was the first automobile designed to be propelled by an internal combustion engine.

Benz constructed three versions of the Motorwagen, the first of which was patented in January 1886. The car featured innovations such as an electric ignition, differential gears, and water cooling. The design was revolutionary and marked the beginning of the automotive era.

While there were earlier steam-powered vehicles, Benz’s Motorwagen is acknowledged as the first true automobile capable of being mass-produced and used regularly. The car also laid the groundwork for the modern automotive industry, influencing countless subsequent designs and models.

Benz founded the Benz & Cie. company, and with the success of his vehicle, the automotive industry began to grow, leading to the production of various types of motor vehicles. Today, the Motorwagen is celebrated as a landmark in engineering and automotive history, illustrating the shift from horse-drawn carriages to self-propelled vehicles.