Explore motoring.im
history.motoring.im
Myths vs facts

Things people say about car history

Henry Ford, petrol, Model T colours and the first motorway. Gently checked.

  1. MythHenry Ford invented the car.

    FactMost 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

  2. MythThe first cars all ran on petrol.

    FactAt the start of the 20th century, 40% of American cars ran on steam, 38% on electricity and only 22% on petrol. Encyclopaedia Britannica: History of the automobile

  3. MythElectric cars are a new idea.

    FactProbably the first electric vehicle, a tricycle, ran in Paris in 1881. Encyclopaedia Britannica: History of the automobile The first car to go faster than 100 km/h (60 mph) was an electric one: Camille Jenatzy’s La Jamais Contente, in 1899. Encyclopaedia Britannica: History of the automobile

  4. MythYou could buy a Model T in any colour you liked.

    FactFrom 1913 to 1925 the Model T came in only one colour: black. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Model T

  5. MythKarl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler worked together.

    FactOddly, Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler never met. Encyclopaedia Britannica: History of the automobile The Benz and Daimler firms merged in 1926 to form Daimler-Benz, maker of Mercedes-Benz cars. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Karl Benz

  6. MythThe first long-distance drive was made by a man.

    FactIn August 1888 Bertha Benz drove the Motorwagen from Mannheim to Pforzheim with her sons Eugen and Richard: the first long-distance drive in a car. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Karl Benz

  7. MythSpeeding tickets came in with fast cars.

    FactWalter Arnold of East Peckham, Kent, was the first person in Britain convicted of speeding, on 28 January 1896. He was doing about 8 mph in a 2 mph town limit. National Motor Museum: motoring FAQs

  8. MythTraffic lights were invented for cars.

    FactThe world’s first traffic signals were put up outside the Houses of Parliament on 10 December 1868, using railway-style semaphore arms and gas lamps. National Motor Museum: motoring FAQs

  9. MythBritain’s first motorway was the M1.

    FactBritain’s first motorway, the 8¼-mile Preston By-pass, was opened by Prime Minister Harold Macmillan on 5 December 1958. It is now part of the M6. UK Motorway Archive: Statistics The first 67 miles of the M1 opened in November 1959. It was built in only 19 months and had Britain’s first motorway service station, at Watford Gap. UK Motorway Archive: Statistics

  10. MythThe driving test has been around since the first cars.

    FactThe test started on a voluntary basis on 13 March 1935. National Motor Museum: motoring FAQs Britain’s driving test was made compulsory on 1 June 1935. GOV.UK: 80th anniversary of the driving test

  11. MythOne person invented the car.

    FactUnlike many big inventions, the idea of the car can’t be credited to any one person. Encyclopaedia Britannica: History of the automobile