1001 Space Earth Nature History Human World Science and Technology Chemistry Materials Force and Energy Heat and Light Electricity and Magnetism Industry Machines Electronics and Computers Cars and Trucks Railways Ships Aircraft Fishing and Agriculture Undersea Exploration

When was the first car built? The first car was a three-wheeler built by the German engineer Karl Benz in 1885. In the same year another German, Gottlieb Daimler, built the first four-wheeled car. Both cars were made from wood and were steered with a tiller rather than a wheel. The two engineers founded separate companies to build their cars. In 1926 they merged to form the Daimler-Benz Company. The first cars were modified tricycles and carriages fitted with small petrol engines.   Previous: Back Book: 1001 Section: Science and Technology Chapter: Cars and Trucks