Birth of the Automobile

The concept of a self-propelled vehicle dates back to the late 18th century when Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot, a French engineer and inventor, built the first full-scale, self-propelled mechanical vehicle in 1770. This vehicle was powered by a steam engine and was designed to transport artillery for the French army. Although it was slow and impractical, Cugnot's invention laid the foundation for future developments in automotive technology.