However, it's important to note that:
* Earlier attempts existed: Étienne Lenoir created a two-stroke engine in 1860, and other inventors like Alphonse Beau de Rochas were developing concepts before Otto.
* Continuous development: The internal combustion engine has seen continuous improvement and modification since its inception, with various types and applications emerging over the years.
So, while 1876 marks a key milestone with Otto's engine, the invention of the internal combustion engine is a complex story of continuous development and improvement.