The first true, modern automobile is generally credited to Karl Benz, who invented and patented the three-wheeled "Motorwagen" in 1886. This gasoline- powered vehicle, which Benz built from the ground up with an internal combustion engine, is recognized as the first practical, marketable car that resembles modern automobiles. Benz's invention included many fundamentals of cars today, such as a throttle system, spark plugs, and gear shifters. He is widely regarded as the father of the car and the automobile industry.
Although earlier versions of self-propelled vehicles existed—such as steam- powered road vehicles by Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot in 1769 and experimental gasoline cars by others—Benz's 1886 Motorwagen marked the transition from experimental vehicles to a practical automobile suitable for everyday use.
In summary, Karl Benz invented the first car as we understand it today, with a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine designed for practical use and mass production.
