Evolution of Cars

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 As a kid, I really loved cars (well who doesn't?), and in fact had a collection of super car models (Those car models that you cannot play with because its a car model and attached to its holder, but of course I still play with them like a normal kid would do and I usually end up breaking them haha). 

Car model Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 White
via flickr.com user thienzieyung

Aside from these super car models, I also had paintings of Lamborghinis, Porsches, Ferraris, McLarens, and Bugattis all displayed and hanged in my room. So to cut the story short, I really love cars, but despite of this love (that seems to be not mutual haha), never have I thought what exactly is the history of cars and when was it first made and who made it, until today when I was in the train on my way to the office and saw this evolution of laptops and how it exactly looked like in the early 80's to the present laptop, so I thought how about cars? How exactly did the cars look like before? When was the first car invented? So that's the reason for this blog, Evolution of Cars!

Definition of car: As per wiki, a car is a wheeled, self-powered motor vehicle used for transportation. Most definitions of the term specify that cars are designed to run primarily on roads, to have seating for one to eight people, to typically have four wheels, and to be constructed principally for the transport of people rather than goods. 

Evolution of Cars:

1769: First Ever Car

 The first ever record that fits the definition of a car and considered as the first ever car made is the steam powered and self-propelled automobile that was invented by Nicolas Joseph-Cugnot in 1769 where he created a steam-powered tricycle . Currently, one of his car creations are preserved in the French National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts.

First Ever Car Made is this creation by Nicolas Joseph-Cugnot in 1769
"FardierdeCugnot20050111" by Photo et photographisme © Roby.
Grand format sur demande - own work. Avec l'aimable permission du Musée des Arts et Métiers, Paris..
 Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - 

1801: First ever demonstration of a working automobile

Richard Trevithick invented the Puffing Devil road automobile that is believed to be the first demonstration of a working steam-powered road vehicle.

Replica of Richard Trevithick Puffing Devil
"Trevithick Road Loco 01" by Chris McKenna (Thryduulf).
 Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

1807: First Internal Combustion Engine

Nicéphore Niépce (who also invented photography so thanks to him we can see the photos of the first cars/engines that were made and of course people can take selfies haha so it's his fault :D) and his brother Claude, created the first ever Internal Combustion Engine and called it Pyréolophore but chose to install it on a boat and not on a car. 

"Pyreolophore" by Nicéphore Niépce ( 1765 – 1833) and Claude Niépce (1763 – 1828) -
Diagram by the Niépce brothers c 1806

1879: First Ever Modern Car

Regarded as the Inventor of the first ever Modern Car, Karl Benz, was granted a patent for his engine on 1879 which he designed in 1878 and used in the world's first ever version of cars that are the same as we see and use today. Yes, he is the owner and founder of Mercedes Benz if you may ask.

1885 Benz via Wikimedia Commons

1888: First Ever Long Distance Car Driver in the World

Bertha Benz, wife of Karl Benz, was the world's first long distance car driver in the world by taking the invention of her husband on a road trip to prove that the invented car is road worthy.

"Berthabenzportrait" by Bühler, Mannheim - Automuseum Dr. Carl Benz, Ladenburg.

1888: First Electric Car in the World

The Flocken Elektrowagen was built in 1888 by Andreas Flocken which is regarded as the first ever electric car in the world.

"1888 Flocken Elektrowagen" by Franz Haag - Own work.
Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1888_
Flocken_Elektrowagen.jpg#/media/File:1888_Flocken_Elektrowagen.jpg

1903: World's First Affordable  Car

Ford was founded in 1903 by Henry Ford and is one the world's largest if not the largest car manufacturer to date. Ford produced the world's first affordable automobile "Ford Model T" and it was awarded the most influential car of the 20th century in the International Car of the Century Awards.

"1910Ford-T" by Harry Shipler
Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

1910-1911: First starter motor and electric self-starter

Charles Kettering of the Cadillac Motor Company invented the ignition and self-starter that was used to make cars start on its own (which you probably already know haha). He also invented the four-wheel brakes and independent suspension.

1918 -1929: Vintage Cars Era

The vintage era started from the end of World War I (1918) til 1929. In this era, front-engined car started to dominate and here are below of the vintage cars developed during this time.

1917 Saxon Vintage Car

"Bugatti Typ 35C Grand Prix Racer 1926" by Lars-Göran Lindgren Sweden - Own work.
Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons -
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File
:Bugatti_Typ_35C_Grand_Prix_Racer_1926.jpg#/media/File:Bugatti_Typ_35C_Grand_Prix_Racer_1926.jpg

1930 - 1969: Classic Cars Era

This era includes the Pre-World War II era (1930-1946) and the Post World War (1946-1969). This era is the most celebrated era for cars despite of the ongoing war as this era has produced some of the most amazing "classic" cars as we term it nowadays. Below are some of the Classic Cars we definitely love and feel nostalgic about:

1930 Bentley 8-Litre Classic Royalty Car

1949 De Soto Classic Car

1969 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow

Classic Ferrari

1969 - Present: Modern Cars and Super Cars Era

No need for introduction here but this is the time that the human kind has changed the definition of cars and automobiles. The way these cars are continuously evolving, I won't be surprised that another era will be in front of us, Flying Cars Era anyone? 

Modern Volkswagen "Beetle" 

Blue Mclaren

Modern Ferrari

Modern Rolls Royce

Batmobile is definitely a Super Modern Car ^^

So that's how cars were made! So it was Karl Benz that invented the first ever working car and is the founder of Mercedes Benz. Also, it was her wife Bertha Benz that first drive tested his car (what a supportive wife :D) and got the record as the First Long Distance Car Driver recorded. 

So it was the Ford Model T that was the first ever affordable car produced and sold! And that Vintage Cars were produced from the Post World War I era (1918-1929). 

While Classic Cars started from the Pre-World War II Era to the Post-World War II (1930-1969) and Modern Cars from 1969 til present (2015 currently). 

Whew! I learned a lot today hahaha (hope I still remember it tomorrow)....Well, the question is, when will be the start of the next era? Or has it already started? Well I guess we will only know when another blogger or writer writes about it when we're reading our Ipads or Laptops from heaven (hopefully not hell! haha) or maybe it will happen before that :) Your guess!

What to read next: Dubai Classic Cars Collection!