Early V8 Concepts:
* 1890s: Several inventors, including Charles Yale Knight, experimented with V8 configurations. These were primarily large, experimental engines.
* 1904: American engineer Charles Schmidt built a V8 engine, but it was never commercially produced.
Early Commercial V8s:
* 1914: Cadillac introduced the first commercially successful V8 engine. This 5.7-liter engine was groundbreaking for its smooth operation and power.
* 1915: The "Eight" engine, produced by the American company, "The Eight Cylinder Motor Company", was a successful V8 engine designed by Charles Kettering.
Conclusion:
While Cadillac's 1914 engine is often credited as the "first" commercially successful V8, several other individuals and companies contributed to its development. The concept of the V8 engine existed for many years before it became a viable and popular powerplant.