The first successful gasoline-powered automobile was invented by the German engineer Karl Benz in 1886.

Early automobiles were expensive, hand-built novelties that were affordable only for the very wealthy.

The key figure in making the automobile a mass-market product was the American industrialist Henry Ford.

In 1908, Ford introduced the Model T, a simple, durable, and affordable car.

Ford revolutionized manufacturing with the introduction of the moving assembly line in 1913.

The assembly line dramatically reduced the time and cost of producing a car, making the Model T accessible to the middle class.

The rise of the automobile spurred the growth of many related industries, such as oil, steel, and rubber.

It also led to massive public works projects, including the construction of paved roads and highways.

The automobile profoundly reshaped society, leading to the growth of suburbs, the creation of a 'car culture,' and increased personal mobility.

The 20th century is often referred to as the 'Automobile Age.'