Daimler: 1885–1886- The first stationary gasoline engine developed by Carl Benz was a one-cylinder two-stroke unit which ran for the first time on New Year’s Eve 1879. Benz had so much commercial success with this engine that he was able to devote more time to his dream of creating a lightweight car powered by a gasoline engine, in which the chassis and engine formed a single unit.
The major features of the two-seater vehicle, which was completed in 1885, were the compact high-speed single-cylinder four-stroke engine installed horizontally at the rear, the tubular steel frame, the differential and three wire-spoked wheels. The engine output was 0.75 hp (0.55 kW). Details included an automatic intake slide, a controlled exhaust valve, high-voltage electrical vibrator ignition with spark plug, and water/thermo siphon evaporation cooling. more here
If he had been around back then, I bet @TRF would add flame decals and an extra-long gear shift lever with an 8-ball knob! (-:
If Fauci was around, he’s get hysterical about it being too dangerous, and we’d still be riding horses.
Best of three – Benz vs Penny Farthing.
Uncle Al – Aaaaaaaannnnnnnnd a 10 inch tongue….
for the trailer, of course!
🙂
“One cylinder, two stroke motor” idea mysteriously came to 12 year old Carl Benz late at night when he was thinking of Lilly Langtree…I might be wrong…..
Nicolaus Otto feels he got ripped off. It should have been called the “Ottomobile.”
I was behind that on my way into town this evening to pick up a pizza. That and a forklift and haybaler.
But at least there were no bicyclists. I hate those city slickers.
If you are only considering gasoline powered vehicles, I guess you can say this was the first.
Some French guy named Cugnot built a steam powered one over 100 years earlier. He also had the first vehicle collision.
@jethro.
First aircraft accident killed an army guy and nearly the pilot, Orville Wright, at fort Myer prez Grover Cleveland wanted to board that flight but was a 300 pounder. I think.
This Benz guy was a genius.
Invented the automobile.
What an accomplishment.
His life mattered.
I’ve watched enough television to know that the Flintstones were driving before Benz existed. First functional gasoline powered vehicle would be more accurate.
Benz was a smart guy, but his wife made it happen. She also invented brake pads.
I introduced Carl Benz to Gottlieb Daimler and Rudolf Diesel.
(after I gave them my automotive ideas)
The rest, as they say, is history …