when were cars invented

Cars were invented in 1886 when Karl Benz developed the three-wheeled motor vehicle known as the "Motorwagen." On January 29, 1886, Benz applied for a patent for his "vehicle powered by a gas engine," which is often regarded as the birth certificate of the modern automobile. This Benz Patent Motorwagen is widely considered the first practical, marketable automobile for everyday use and the first in series production. After its patent, Benz began producing automobiles, and in 1888, his wife Bertha Benz made the first long-distance trip to demonstrate the vehicle's capabilities. Automobiles had earlier precursors, including steam-powered vehicles and electric cars, but Benz’s 1886 invention marks the start of the modern car era. Other inventors had contributed to internal combustion engine technology and early vehicle designs, but Benz’s Motorwagen was the first to combine these innovations into a commercially viable car.