Car Timeline

Important Dates

1886

1885-1886 is an important date because Karl Benz built the first car which was a three-wheeled vehicle with rear-mounted, single-cylinder gasoline engine called Benz Patent-Motorwagen.

Important Date

1900

In 1900 the Detroit Automobile Factory was assembled. Ransom E. Olds produced his namesake car, called the Oldsmobile. Production and sales were less than stellar, and the company went bankrupt. Still, this milestone marks the first automotive factory.

Important Date

1908

1908: Ford’s Model T hits the scene. On October 1, 1908, Henry Ford debuted the first production Model T Ford at the company’s Piquette Avenue plant in Detroit. Ford made 15 million Model T’s making it the longest production run in its time.

Important Date

1911

The electric starter was invented by Charles Kettering and Henry M. Leland. It was made to improve the hand crank up process. It was small enough to fit under the hood of the car. It was important because it made starting up your car safer.

Important Date

1913

The first moving automobile assembly line by Ford Motor Company enabled Ford to make thousands of cars in one year. It was important because it made cars more affordable for people

Important Date

1914

Automotive manufacturer, Dodge, introduced their first vehicle to the market, but they didn’t use wood for the body, the used steel. This made the cars stronger and sturdier. Today steel is still used to made car bodies.

Important Date

1968

In 1968 safety became a major focus in the automobile business. The government required that there had to be shoulder and lap straps in the front seat and lap straps in the back, also known as seat belts. This is important because it keeps people safe if they get into an accident.

Important Date

1970

Major automotive manufacturers started to install airbags into passenger cars. Airbags are important because they protect people when they get into an accident.