The history of the car: the pioneers, the famous cars and the records.
A steam tractor in Paris, a three-wheeler in Mannheim, a drive to Grandma’s that made history, a car for the multitude, a man with a red flag and a car faster than sound. Here is the story of the motor car in plain English, with every fact checked against Encyclopaedia Britannica, the National Motor Museum, GOV.UK and other expert sources.
Speed Through Time
Slide from Cugnot’s steam tractor in 1769 to Thrust SCC breaking the sound barrier in 1997. Every speed record, every British speed limit and a few everyday cars, each one sourced. Then switch to Faster or Slower and test yourself.
Speed Through Time is our own code. Every point is one of the sourced facts on this site; the source shows with each one as you go.
The short version
Unlike many big inventions, the idea of the car can’t be credited to any one person. Encyclopaedia Britannica: History of the automobile
Most historians agree that Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot of France built the first true automobile: a huge, heavy, steam-powered tricycle. Encyclopaedia Britannica: History of the automobile
Karl Benz designed and, in 1885, built the world’s first practical car powered by an internal-combustion engine. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Karl Benz
Ford introduced the world’s first moving assembly line for cars in 1913. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Ford Motor Company More than 15 million Model Ts were built. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Model T
Explore the story
Steam and electricThe first cars, before petrol won.
Benz and DaimlerThe petrol pioneers, and Bertha’s drive.
Ford and the Model TA car for the multitude.
Motoring in BritainRed flags, driving tests and the Mini.
Around the worldFrance, Germany, Italy, Japan and more.
Speed recordsFrom 39 mph to faster than sound.
Myths vs factsDid Henry Ford invent the car?
The big facts pageEvery fact on the site, sourced.
Tile pictures are credited on their pages and on the credits page.
Things to play
- Speed Through TimeEvery record and speed limit from 1769 to 1997, plus Faster or Slower.
- Where Did It Happen?Britain, France, Germany or the USA?
- Road Through TimePut motoring history in order, from Cugnot to Thrust SCC.
- Car History QuizTen questions at a time, every answer sourced.
- Picture PairsMatch the pioneers and the famous cars.
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This site is hand-built, fact-checked and free to use. If Speed Through Time, a game or one of Useless’s notes made you grin, a little support keeps it going and helps the network grow.
Car history printables
Fact-checked PDFs in A4 and US Letter, sold as instant downloads from the ReallyByte store.
Colour the Classic Cars: Car History Colouring Pack
Colour-in drawings of famous cars from Cugnot’s steam tractor to the Mini, each with a fact-checked caption, plus label-the-car pages.
Car History Puzzle Pack: Crosswords, Codes & Road Logic
A crossword, a word search, a timeline sort, a code-cracker, a “where did it happen?” sort and a speed-record puzzle, with answer keys.
Car History Fact Cards: Pioneers, Records & Firsts
Twenty-four fact-checked cards on the pioneers, the famous cars, the speed records and Britain’s motoring firsts, ready to cut out.
Road Through Time: A Car History Timeline Workbook
Build a timeline from 1769 to 1997, plot speed records and the falling price of the Model T, and read real motoring figures.
Horseless Carriages: Kids’ Car History Worksheets
For ages 7 to 11: Bertha Benz’s drive, the Red Flag Act, true or false, then and now, motoring maths and a road maze.
Car History Poster Set
Six fact-checked posters: the first car, Bertha Benz’s drive, the Model T, the Red Flag Act, speed records and Britain’s motoring firsts.
Best valueThe Complete Car History Printables Bundle
All six packs plus a guide, A4 and US Letter, in one download.