1886

On this date, January 29, 1886, a German inventor named Karl Benz was issued a patent for the first gasoline engine powered automobile. Its hard to argue that any invention more changed the world in the next 100 years. Later he founded the car company Mercedes-Benz. Among his patented inventions were the ignition system with spark plugs, gear shift and clutch, carburetor and radiator.

Note: If you thought Henry Ford somehow was involved in the invention of the automobile, go to the back of the class. Ford is famous for implementing assembly line production.