Here are some key features of early cars:
* Simple, open designs: Most early cars lacked enclosed cabins. Passengers were exposed to the elements.
* Steam, electric, or internal combustion engines: The power source varied greatly in the early days. Steam-powered cars were some of the earliest but were bulky and slow to heat up. Electric cars were also early contenders but suffered from limited range. Internal combustion engines, while initially unreliable, eventually proved dominant.
* Rudimentary controls: Steering, braking, and shifting gears were far less sophisticated than modern systems.
* Low speeds and short ranges: Early cars were slow and had limited fuel capacity or battery life.
* Often resembled carriages: The earliest designs frequently incorporated elements from horse-drawn carriages, reflecting the existing engineering knowledge and manufacturing capabilities.
In short, they weren't the polished, aerodynamic machines we know today. They were experimental, often fragile vehicles that represented a significant technological leap but still had a long way to go before becoming the ubiquitous form of transportation we see today. Images from the late 1800s and early 1900s will vividly illustrate this difference.
