1801 - Richard Trevithick (English) builds a steam-powered carriage capable of carrying people along rails.
1807 - Francis R. Lowell (American) builds the first steam-powered factory textile machine
1814 - George Stephenson (English) builds a steam-powered engine called Blucher, which is capable of pulling 30 tons at 4 mph
1876 - Nikolaus Otto and Eugen Langen (German) invent the internal combustion engine, which paved the way for gas-powered cars.
1886 - Karl Benz (German) builds and patents a three-wheeled automobile powered by a gasoline engine
1893 - Duryea brothers (American) build the first successful American gas-powered automobile.
1896 - Henry Ford (American) builds his first car in a Detroit shed, but his business fails
1903 - Ford Motor Company is founded
1913 - Ford creates its first assembly-line production for Model T vehicles.
1938 - Dr. Ferdinand Porsche patents the Volkswagen Beetle design.
1973 - The Arab Oil Crisis causes gasoline shortages in the U.S., resulting in reduced domestic car production.
1975 - The first catalytic converter is installed on a production vehicle.
1982 - Honda produces the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, the Insight.
2021 - Electric Vehicles (EVs) comprised 2.6% of new vehicle sales in the U.S. and 9% market share globally
