Who made the first car? Many may answer Karl Benz, but other names that need to be included too. They show the transition of this vehicle.

What car do you drive to work? The answers may vary since there are countless models, shapes, and sizes. In fact, every year or so, car manufacturers are up for new development for their vehicles. There is always a new invention, so many of them that we sometimes forget to look back and wonder:

Who made the first car?

For this, we could never get a one-liner as an answer. In fact, the history of automobile creation is rich with famous names and vehicle types.

However, if we could point out at one name who created the very first, true automobile, it would be Karl Benz. Still, other famous names deserve the recognition too, so here they are:

Leonardo da Vinci

Back in the 15th century, da Vinci created designs and models for the first idea of transport vehicles. Unfortunately, those designs hadn’t been built back then. A replica of it at the Chateau Clos Luce, a museum that is formerly da Vinci’s home, is displayed as the solid, visible proof.

Simon Steven

In 1600, Simon Steven from Holland built was had been known as the sailing chariots. These chariots were propelled by the winds and used in China when the Westerners first visited it.

Nicholas-Joseph Cugnot

Cugnot built the first military tractor for the French army back in 1769. This road vehicle was self-propelled, with three wheels and 2.5 mph power.

Robert Anderson

Between 1832 to 1839, Robert Anderson from Scotland created an electric carriage.

Karl Friedrich Benz

Between 1885 to 1886, Karl Benz was the one who made the first car. Using gasoline as the source of its power, the car was: three-wheeled with four cycles, engine, and chassis forming into a single unit.

Gottlieb Wilhelm Daimler dan Wilhelm Maybach

In 1886, Gottlieb Daimler perfected Benz’ invention on the first true automobile. With Wilhelm Maybach, Daimler created the first four-wheeled, with the four-stroke engine. This automobile was named “Cannstatt-Daimler”.

George Baldwin Selden

In between 1875 to 1895, George Baldwin Selden from the United States combined the previous model with a carriage. Although his work was never manufactured, it was patented with the number 549,160 in 1895 and Selden collected royalties.

Charles Edgar Duryea dan Frank Duryea

The Duryea Brothers were the first who made the first car with 4hp gas power and two-stroke motor. They were also the first to set up the first American car manufacturing company.

Although many people seem to agree that Karl Benz was the first inventor who made the first car, we cannot really ignore other famous names here. This shows the transition to the vehicle we know and drive today.