Where It All Began:
The story of the automobile begins in 1885, when Karl Benz built the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, widely recognised as the world’s first practical automobile. Powered by a single-cylinder internal combustion engine, it looked nothing like the cars we know today, but it changed history forever. Benz received the first patent (DRP No. 37435) for a gas-fuelled car. It was a three-wheeler; Benz built his first four-wheeled car in 1891. Benz & Cie., the company started by the inventor, became the world's largest manufacturer of automobiles by 1900. The first car could obtain speeds of 10mph which was groundbreaking for this time. Early automobiles were slow and unreliable, expensive and inaccessible, and entirely built by hand. At the time, cars were viewed as novelties rather than necessities. Horse-drawn transport was still the norm, and it would take decades for automobiles to become mainstream.
Mass Production and the Rise of the Car Industry:
The next major leap came in the early 20th century with Henry Ford’s Model T. Introduced in 1908, the Model T revolutionised the automotive industry through mass production. Ford’s impact on society was far-reaching, and his influence is still felt today. He is credited with helping to bring about mass production and consumerism, as well as increasing wages and improving working conditions for labourers by introducing the 8-hour workday and the 9-to-5 schedule. This innovation allowed for a much more efficient and cost-effective way of mass-producing cars, which in turn made them more affordable and accessible to the public. In the 19 years that the Model T was in production, Ford sold more than 15 million vehicles in the United States, Canada, and Great Britain combined, which was half of all automobiles that were produced worldwide at that time.
Design and Safety:
By the mid-20th century, automobiles were no longer just about transportation; they were about implementing safety features and having better design qualities. From the 1950s onwards, vehicle safety became a major focus in automotive design. Seat belts, introduced in the 1950s and made mandatory in the 1970s, significantly reduced road fatalities. During the 1960s, innovations such as collapsable steering columns and padded interiors were developed to minimise serious injuries in collisions. The 1970s saw further advancements with the introduction of airbags and anti-lock braking systems (ABS), which improved occupant protection and vehicle control during emergency braking. Alongside these features, manufacturers began enhancing crashworthiness through stronger vehicle structures and crumple zones designed to absorb impact energy. Together, these innovations marked a pivotal shift toward safer vehicles and laid the foundation for the safety standards seen in modern cars today. From 1920 to 1970, car design evolved alongside technology and society. The Art Deco era introduced elegant curves, followed by streamlined, aerodynamic shapes in the 1930s. Post-war designs embraced bold styling and chrome, while the 1970s oil crisis shifted focus toward smaller, more practical, fuel-efficient vehicles.
The Digital Revolution in Automobiles:
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, vehicles evolved from purely mechanical machines to smart, data-driven systems. Modern cars began incorporating onboard computers, sensors, GPS navigation, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and infotainment features. This technological shift transformed automotive careers, creating strong demand for software engineers, data specialists, and systems integrators alongside traditional engineering roles. These are the cars we still know and drive today as we slowly transition to owning electric-powered vehicles.
What Will Cars Look Like in the Future?
The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) marks a major shift toward sustainable mobility. Driven by climate concerns and innovation, EVs offer zero emissions, lower running costs, and simpler mechanics. Global manufacturers are investing in batteries, charging infrastructure, and eco-friendly production, creating growing demand for expertise in battery engineering, power electronics, and sustainability compliance.
The future of automobiles is also shaped by autonomous and connected technologies. Self-driving systems aim to reduce accidents, improve traffic flow, and transform travel experiences, while connected vehicles communicate with other cars, infrastructure, and cloud networks. This creates a digital ecosystem where automotive engineering intersects with AI, cybersecurity, and telecommunications.
Hydrogen cars are also going to be part of our future. Hydrogen cars use fuel cells to convert hydrogen into electricity, producing only water vapour as a byproduct. They offer fast refuelling, long driving ranges, and lightweight energy storage, making them ideal for long-range and heavy-duty applications. Challenges include limited refuelling infrastructure, high production costs, and energy-intensive hydrogen production, but they represent a promising path toward sustainable transportation. If we were to predict a future scenario, we think hydrogen vehicles won't completely replace EVs. Battery electric vehicles are expected to dominate short- to medium-range passenger travel, while hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will be more common in long-range, commercial, and industrial applications. Overall, the future of transportation is likely to be a hybrid system, combining EVs, hydrogen, and other alternative fuels depending on the specific use case and energy requirements.
Conclusion
World Automobile Day is a recognition of progress, ingenuity, and the people who keep the world moving. At Venatu Automotive, we’re proud to support that progress by connecting skilled professionals with the opportunities that drive the industry forward.