The first successful internal combustion engine was invented in 1859 by French-Belgian inventor Etienne Lenoir. However, it was not until 1876 that German inventor Nikolaus Otto developed a more reliable and efficient internal combustion engine. This laid the foundation for the development of the first practical and successful powered car. Around this time, several individuals independently worked on creating early automobiles. Notable contributors include inventors such as Karl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler, and Wilhelm Maybach in Germany, as well as inventors such as Ransom E. Olds, Henry Ford, and the Duryea brothers in the United States.
Generally, historians credit German engineer Karl Benz with creating the first practical automobile. In 1885, Benz patented the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, which is considered the first true automobile. It featured a four-stroke gasoline engine, a rudimentary chassis, three wheels, and could reach a speed of about 10 miles per hour (16 km/h). This invention marked the beginning of the modern automotive era and paved the way for further developments in automotive technology and the transportation industry as a whole.
