In 1886, Karl Benz built his Benz Patent Motorwagen, a three-wheeled vehicle powered by a gasoline engine. This vehicle is widely considered to be the first true automobile.
Here's why:
* Internal Combustion Engine: The Benz Patent Motorwagen was the first vehicle to use an internal combustion engine to power the vehicle, as opposed to steam or electric motors.
* Practicality: The vehicle was designed for everyday use, unlike many earlier attempts which were more experimental in nature. It could be driven by one person, had a steering wheel, and could reach speeds of up to 10 km/h.
* Commercial Success: Benz eventually started a company to manufacture his vehicles, making them available to the public.
While other inventors were working on similar ideas around the same time, Benz's design was the first to be commercially successful and paved the way for the modern automobile.