Here's why:
* Benz's Patent Motorwagen (1886): Benz's invention, the Patent Motorwagen, is generally considered the first gasoline-powered automobile. It was a three-wheeled vehicle with an internal combustion engine and was successfully demonstrated in 1886.
* Other Early Cars: While Benz gets credit for the first gasoline-powered car, other inventors like Gottlieb Daimler (who also developed a gasoline engine) and Émile Levassor (who built the first four-wheeled car) were also crucial in the development of the automobile.
It's important to note that the invention of the car was a gradual process, and many individuals contributed to its development. Benz's Motorwagen marked a crucial step in this journey.