An in-depth look at the history of the automobile: from the early years of development to the technologically advanced vehicles of today.

Follow the evolution of the amazing automobile through the ages: from the first Model T Ford to roll off the conveyor belt, to the most recent design innovations, including cars that reduce your carbon footprint.

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Follow the evolution of cars through the ages: from the first Model T Ford, to the most recent design innovations, including cars that reduce your carbon footprint.

Precious Metal

Cars have kept us on the road for the last century. In the beginning, only the wealthy could afford to buy a car, until Henry Ford and his assembly line changed the way the world moved.

At first, only the wealthy could afford to buy a car, until Henry Ford and his assembly line changed the way the world moved.

Motoring for the Masses

Before cars, roads were used for horse-drawn carts. Soon, gravel gave way to cobblestones and then to modern roads paved with tar. Even as roads became smoother and more durable, some intrepid drivers still wanted to explore more inhospitable terrain.

As gravel roads gave way to cobblestones, and then became modern roads paved with tar, some intrepid travelers still wanted to explore more inhospitable terrain.

The Road Less Traveled

Since the invention of the automobile, men have raced cars. The first races were feats of endurance, but after WWII, motor sport became a team affair and drivers became professionals.

Since the invention of the automobile, men have raced cars. But after WWII, motor sport became a team affair and drivers became professionals.

Motor Sport Through the Century

Chart some of the most important names in the short history of automobiles: men who have raced, designed or built cars, including the most influential icon, Henry Ford.

Mighty Men, Mighty Machines

While BMW is one of the most sought-after cars in the middle-class, prestige market, the brand has also long been associated with motorsport, with its BM1 division devoted to creating cars that can outperform and outlast their competitors.

BMW is one of the most sought-after cars in the middle class, prestige market, but its BM1 division also has long been associated with motor-sport.

Faster! Faster!

In the last ten years, car manufacturers have been working to cut carbon emissions and save fuel, resulting in the development of hybrid cars such as Toyotaʼs Prius and Fordʼs Fiesta E-kinetic.

In the last ten years, car manufacturers have been working to cut carbon emissions and save fuel, resulting in the development of hybrid cars.

The Way of the Future

During the first twenty-five years of motoring history, vehicular accidents necessitated the advent of the earliest seatbelts in the 1950s. Soon, three-point belts become law in some countries, due to their effectiveness in saving lives.

Vehicular accidents necessitated the advent of seatbelts in the 1950s. Soon, three-point belts become law in some countries, due to their effectiveness in saving lives.

Safety First, Last and Always

By the turn of the century, the Wolseley Tool and Motor Car Company produced the first all-British automobile, the Baby Austin, which became available in 1922 at a price of 225 pounds.

By the turn of the century, the Wolseley Tool and Motor Car Company produced the first all-British automobile, the Baby Austin, which sold for 225 pounds in 1922.

The Best of Britain

Two German inventors, Niklaus Otto and Karl Benz, revolutionized the way people traveled by creating the first reliable engines.

Best of Germany

Ransom Olds, father of the famous American Oldsmobile, started building cars around the same time as Henry Ford. But Ford established the 40-hour work week and introduced mass production via assembly lines, heralding a new era for industry.

Ransom Olds, father of the Oldsmobile, began building cars around the same time as Henry Ford, but Ford established the 40-hour work week and introduced mass production.

U.S.A. Land of the Brave

Porsche and Renault were just two of the famous names competing for glory during the 1970s: a classic era in sports car racing. The Porsche short-tail 917 was one of the newer lightweight vehicles introduced early in the 70s.

Porsche and Renault were just two of the famous names competing for glory during the 1970s: a classic era in sports car racing.

1970s Sports Cars

Europe's great circuits evolved from city-to-city road races, such as the 1939 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Post WWII, racing resumed in Europe, with Maserati and Ferrari represented by Juan Manuel Fangio and Nino Farina.

Europe's circuits evolved from city road races, such as the 1939 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Post WWII, racing resumed in Europe, with Maserati and Ferrari.