When was the first car invented and who it?

It's tricky to pinpoint a single "first car" inventor because the evolution of the automobile was a gradual process with many contributors. Here's a breakdown:

* Early Steam-Powered Vehicles:

* 1769: Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot built a three-wheeled steam-powered vehicle, widely considered the first self-propelled vehicle. However, it was not practical for everyday use.

* 1801: Richard Trevithick created a steam-powered carriage, also not widely adopted.

* Internal Combustion Engines:

* 1860s: Étienne Lenoir developed a practical internal combustion engine, a key step towards the modern car.

* 1886: Karl Benz built the first practical gasoline-powered car, widely considered the "father of the automobile." His invention was a three-wheeled vehicle with a four-stroke internal combustion engine.

* Other Pioneers:

* 1889: Gottlieb Daimler developed a four-wheeled car with a more powerful engine.

* 1896: Henry Ford started building his first car, marking the beginning of Ford Motor Company, which would revolutionize car production.

Therefore, while Karl Benz is often credited with inventing the first "practical" car in 1886, the development of the automobile was a collaborative effort with many key figures contributing throughout history.