The automotive industry was the real prerequisites for development only after the appearance of light, compact and fairly powerful internal combustion engine, which has opened opportunities for the development of the car.
In 1885, the German inventor Gottlieb Daimler, and in 1886 his compatriot Karl Benz manufactured and patented the first self-propelled carriages with gasoline engines. However, it is America that made the car a cult product.
The starting point in the U.S. automotive industry to count in 1896. In the same year established the first American company to produce cars. A March 24, 1898 model "Winton", produced by Winton Motor Carriage Company, for $ 1000 bought a mining engineer Robert Ellison.
Ellison saw the advertisement vehicle with a leather roof and gas lamps in the journal Scientific American. At the time of purchase there were only 4 of these cars.
The company designed the first car, was founded March 15, 1897 Alexander Vinton. The first cars of his design stand out from the competition originally painted the side walls, soft seating, gas-filled lamps and leather roof.
Company ceased manufacturing automobiles in 1924, but continued to manufacture and ship and stationary diesel engines. In June 1930 the company became part of General Motors.
As for the fate of the first model sold "Winton" - after the death of Ellison's Winton Motor Carriage Company bought the car back and gave it to the museum.