HaitiLibre Quiz

Automobiles 1.1 WORLD

Difficulty Level: N1 Easy
This first easy-level Quiz is aimed at a general audience to rediscover automotive history, from its heroic beginnings to future innovations. Buckle up, test your knowledge on this technological and human adventure.
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In 1769, Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot made history by creating the steam cart, considered the very first motor vehicle. At what approximate maximum speed could this heavy military transport machine travel?

67% of players answered correctly.

THE CORRECT ANSWER: 4 km/h

The steam dray, designed by French military engineer Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot in 1769, is historically recognized as the very first automobile vehicle in human history. This colossal machine, initially intended to transport heavy artillery pieces for the army, operated thanks to an imposing steam boiler located at the front.Due to its phenomenal weight, its extremely reduced maneuverability and the low technological pressure of the time, its maximum speed did not exceed 4 km/h. At this pace, a walker on foot could easily overtake him.Despite a very limited autonomy of around a quarter of an hour and a famous accident against a brick wall, this pioneering invention proved incontestably that steam could generate an autonomous motive force capable of moving heavy loads without animal traction, thus paving the way for the formidable epic of the modern automobile.