In relative terms , the history of the motorcar is surprisingly short . The impact of cars during 145 years , however , has been spectacularly transformative and relentlessly controversial . The car is an invention that has brought freedom for consumers and businesses but – equally – doubts linger about the sustainability of man ’ s second best friend .
TIMELINE
DRIVETIME
In relative terms , the history of the motorcar is surprisingly short . The impact of cars during 145 years , however , has been spectacularly transformative and relentlessly controversial . The car is an invention that has brought freedom for consumers and businesses but – equally – doubts linger about the sustainability of man ’ s second best friend .
1866 1920s 1970s
INVENTING THE WHEELS
The blueprint for a superefficient , on-demand transport system could only have been created by a German – in this case , Karl Benz . A motoring luminary , his unique Benz Patent-Motorwagen vehicle accelerated industrialisation across the globe and started an enduring love affair between humans and cars .
DRIVERS OF CHANGE
During the post-war recovery period – especially in the developed world – cars became much more commonplace . Experienced manufacturers , including Ford , Peugeot and Renault rapidly evolved , by opening factories and exponentially increasing their output to meet demand . Cars were mainly , however , playthings of the elite .
FORK IN THE ROAD
As the sixties ended , the permissive society was transcending traditional class barriers , and carownership became possible , regardless of background . Ford set the benchmark for marketing savvy by offering a range that appeared to suit every personality . The Cortina , Escort , Fiesta and Sierra , thus became icons of the road and , often , members of the family .
18 July 2021