Cars in a showroom. Image by Lakey Cornelius from

20 Interesting Facts About Cars


 

In 1886, German inventor Carl Benz invented his Benz Patent-Motorwagen which was the first automotive in the world. However, cars did not become popular since the first car was invented by the Germans. In the early 1900s, an American car manufacturer, Ford Motor Company, made the first cars that were affordable to the masses.

The first affordable cars were the 1908 Model T. Cars replaced horse-drawn carriages which were more popular before the first invention. The United States adopted cars rapidly before the rest of the world started depending on cars more.

After World War Two, the demand for cars in Europe increased more as civilization was on the rise. However, cars did not become widely available after World War Two not until the 20th century. In the current world, cars are considered to be an essential part of the developed economy.

Cars have been an essential part of the daily lives of humans across the world. However, there have been negative impacts of cars including road accidents that claim the lives of many road users.

Let’s learn more about the 20 Interesting Facts About Cars:

1. The First Automotive in the World was Invented in 1885

Benz Patent Motorwagen. Author; Aschroet.

Before 1885, there were several attempts to make an invention of a fully functioning Automotive. However, all the attempts did not work out as some of the results could not accommodate a passenger or a driver.

In 1878, German inventor Carl Benz designed his first engine which was granted a patent in 1879. In 1885, Carl Benz invented the first Automotive, the Benz Patent-Motorwagen which was built in Mannheim, Germany. On 3rd July 1886, Carl Benz began the promotion of his vehicle with about 25 Benz vehicles being sold between 1888 and 1893.

2. The First Car to be Manufactured was the Ford Model T

After the first invention of the first automotive, there seemed to be more interest from people who could afford one. This led to a high demand that led to the mass production of cars. From 1st October 1908 to 26th May 1927, the Ford Motor Company began mass production of cars.

The Ford Model T was the first car to be produced in large numbers as it was regarded as affordable. It also made traveling easily available to middle-class Americans. This car Model was designed by Childe Harold Wills who was an American, and two Hungarian engineers, Joseph A. Galamb and Eugene Farkas.

3. Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ is the Fastest Production Car in the World

A Bugatti Chiron. Image by MrJayW from

Various car companies have been working hard to produce the fastest cars in the world with this being targeted annually. Manufacturers were able to produce cars that are faster than horses and go over 100mph.

Aston Martin’s DB4 GT had broken the 150mph barrier by the 1950s, and the Ferrari F40 had broken the 200mph barrier by the 1980s. The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ car became the fastest profitable car in the universe as it has a top speed of 304mph.

4. The First Crude Electric Car was Built in 1832

Owning an electric car is something that many people want in the current world. Electric cars are also taking over the industry, but many people do not have an idea of when the first crude electric car was built.

In 182, Scottish Robert Anderson made a great invention of building a motorized Automotive that was propelled by crude electricity. However, the batteries that were used to run Robert Anderson’s invention were not rechargeable. Robert Davidson, another Scot built a bigger and better version of a prototype of an electric locomotive in 1837.

Read Top 10 Interesting Facts about Alessandro Volta.

5. The Founder of Motorola Company Invented the First Car Radio

AM push-button-tuning car radio as originally fitted to Chrysler automobiles. Author; Doug butler.

Car radios are important features car owners never want to miss having in their vehicles. However, if you ask several car owners whether they know who was the inventor of the car radio, they will not get it right.

In 1929, the first car radio was invented by brothers Paul and Joseph Galvin. A car radio was so expensive in that it could cost at least $130 per unit, and $540 for a Model A Deluxe Coupe. The Galvin family were also the founders of the Motorola company.

6. First Three-point Car Seat Belt was Invented by Volvo Designer Nils

Seat belts have been additional safety measures in all vehicles which every country advocate for. Initially, seat belts were not advocated for but they were later adopted gradually after major changes in their designs.

In 1958, Volvo designer Nils Bohlin made the first three-point seat belt which was appreciated as being safer for all people. The designer had previous experience designing safety equipment for SAAB airplanes which made this invention easier.

Nils’s design was of a single belt that went around the lower torso and the chest and buckled near the hip. This design was not much complicated as others as it was easy to be removed singlehandedly.

7. The First Car Airbag was Invented in 1951 & Became a Standard Safety Feature in the 1990s

A deployed airbag following a car accident. Photo by Eddie Maloney.

Another key safety measure for cars is the airbag which is installed within the vehicles. As early as 1951, the first airbags were made of air-filled bladders. The person who invented the first airbag for cars was an American man, John W. Hetrick.

He filed for an airbag patent on 5th August 1952 and was granted a code by the United States Patent Office on 18th August 1953. However, airbags became an official standard safety feature in the 1990s since they were made in 1951.

8. Cars have Built-in GPS Navigation Systems

Modern cars have sophisticated interior features which help drivers and passengers during their journeys. An important feature in cars that have been helpful for years is the built-in GPS navigation system.

In 1990, Mazda Eunos Cosmo became the first car to have a built-in GPS navigation system. Ever since 1990, every car model must have had a GPS navigation system that helps drivers maneuver well in new locations. Without the GPS navigation system, several drivers will be unable to drive in new locations.

9. Hybrid Cars were Introduced to the Market since 1997

A Toyota Prius in a showroom. Author; Rutger van der Maar.

Hybrid electric cars are usually powered by an internal combustion engine that has one or more electric motors. However, hybrid cars cannot be plugged in to have their batteries charged as they are charged through regenerative braking and internal combustion in the engine.

It is believed that Ferdinand Porsche was the inventor of the first hybrid electric car. However, official records state that Toyota made the introduction of the first mass-produced hybrid car in 1997. The first Toyota hybrid car is known as the Prius.

10. Google Developed a Self-driving Car in 2009

Various modifications have been made to cars over the years to meet the demands of people. Self-driving cars have been subjected to interest as people want to own these vehicles.

In January 2009, Google began the invention of self-driving technology at the Google X lab which was run by Sergey Brin. This project was then launched by Sebastian Thrun and Anthony Levandoeski. In December 2016, the Google self-driving invention was renamed Waymo.

11. Tesla Model S is the First Electric Car with Over 200 Miles Per Charge Range

Tesla Model S, Geneva 2014. Author; Ank Kumar.

Several companies have been manufacturing a wide range of cars over the years. With the new technology, more advanced cars have been manufactured and distributed across the world.

Electric cars are taking over the market as they are known for conserving the environment by not producing waste gases from fuel. In 2012, Tesla company that produces electric cars made a car with a range of over 200 miles per charge. The Tesla Model S was the first electric car with this superior feature.

Also, read Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Beaulieu Motor Museum.

12. The First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car was made by Toyota in 2015

Companies have been concentrating on what kind of fuel cells their cars will have over the years. From electric to hydrogen cells, car manufacturers have made great steps to produce highly effective cars.

In 2015, the Toyota Mirai became the first car to have a hydrogen fuel cell and was sold to the market. The Toyota Mirai became the first FCV automobile to be produced in large numbers and sold commercially.

This car was unveiled in November 2014 at a Los Angeles show. Thousands of units of the Toyota Mirai have been sold worldwide over the years.

13. The 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF was the First Car with a Fully Retractable Hardtop Roof

2017 Mazda MX-5 RF SE-L Nav 1.5 Taken in Leamington Spa. Photo by Vauxford.

Superior engines and major changes to the features of cars have been what car manufacturers have worked on to make better cars. Cars are becoming more fun to own with some features like fully retractable hardtop roofs.

In 2016, the first car with a fully retractable hardtop roof was unveiled at a New York International Auto Show. The 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF was introduced to the world with this key feature. The car was the first to have this feature as well as a fastback styling with the RF standing for retractable fastback.

14. Porsche Taycan is the First Electric Car with an 800-volt Charging System

Electric cars are becoming more improved over the years with key changes to their engines. These cars have been modified to become able to store energy that can be used in long-distance journeys.

The Porsche Taycan became the first electric car which has a unique feature that no other electric car had during its production in 2019. Porsche Taycan has the feature of 800-volt charging capability that completes charging in 23 minutes.

15. The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is the First Car a 3D-printed Part was Used on

The front of a 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Coupe, photographed at the I-X Center. Author; Syntaxlord.

With more advanced technologies, cars have been modified into some beautiful and attractive Automotives. The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 became the first car in the world that a 3D-printed part was used.

In 1988, Ford purchased the third 3D printer ever made; today, the company has over 90 3D printers worldwide that produce parts and tools. The 3D-printed part was designed for Mustang exported to China, and it fills a hole where buttons would normally be on US-model Raptors.

16. Half an Ounce of Fuel is Required to Start a Car

Cars require fuel for them to run and be in use by the owners. Some run on petrol or diesel, and others use electricity as their source of energy. Have you ever asked yourself on how much fuel a car requires to start?

A car requires at least about half an ounce of fuel for it to start. However, this amount usually varies depending on the type of car and the number of cylinders they have. Enough fuel is needed by engines to initiate the initial explosion within the cylinders.

17. A Car has an Average of 30,000 Parts

2020 Shelby GT500 in Grabber Lime. Photo by Joe.sanchez1631.

A car has around 30,000 parts if you count all the parts down to the nuts and bolts. Some people can consider counting only the large parts like the engine to be one part, then will make a car have approximately 1,800 separate parts.

The engine alone contains thousands of individual parts. Car manufacturers produce many parts, but some other parts are obtained from other manufacturers and suppliers. These parts are fixed and assembled to get a fully functioning car.

18. The Most Popular Car Colour in the World is White

Different people, organizations, and parastatals have their car color preferences. However, there is one popular car color in the world with thousands of people owning them.

The most popular car color in the world is white and according to statistics, 25.8% of people across the world own white cars. 22.3% of cars across the world are black in color, 18.4% are gray, and 12.1% are silver.

19. The World’s Most Expensive Car Costs 28 Million Dollars

Rolls-Royce Boat Tail. Author; Pelican-actor.

Luxurious cars do cost a fortune to those who own them. Different companies have been manufacturing luxurious cars which are owned by rich people across the world. But how much does the most expensive car in the world cost?

The most expensive car in the world is the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail which costs 28 million dollars. The Rolls-Royce boat tail concept is trademarked by the company of Rolls Royce with its design taking place at the Goodwood plant.

20. Volkswagen German is the Largest Car-Making Company in the World

There are several car-making companies in the world that produce great vehicles. However, there is one outstanding company that is the largest. Volkswagen Germany is the world’s largest car manufacturing plant.

This factory is located in Wolfsburg, Germany, and spans an incredible 70 million square feet. Volkswagen German produces up to 4,000 vehicles per day. Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg plant produces the Golf, Touran, and Tiguan models.

 

Cars are among the best inventions in the world as they help people move around easily without any struggle. However, as the world continues advancing in technology, there are hopes that flying cars can be made.

Read The Most Expensive Car Brands in the World.

 

 

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