256 Years Ago, the First “Automobile” Vehicle Roared Through Paris
- Published on 23/10/2025 8:42
On October 23, 1769, Nicolas‑Joseph Cugnot inaugurated the steam dray, the very first self-propelled vehicle.
On this autumn day in 1769, an unlikely vehicle laboriously moved through the streets of Paris: Nicolas‑Joseph Cugnot’s steam dray. Designed to transport cannons for the French army, this experimental cart lacked both a steering wheel and real brakes. Its top speed? Barely 4 km/h, with an autonomy of about 15 minutes before needing to recharge its boiler.
The prototype caused quite a stir… and a crash. During an official test, the dray rammed into a wall, probably marking the very first automotive accident. Despite these limitations, Cugnot already demonstrated that it was possible to do without animal traction.
The dray was never mass-produced. The authorities and the army of the time considered its technology too fragile, and motorized mobility remained a scientific curiosity rather than a practical solution. Yet, it symbolizes a historic turning point: the birth of the modern automobile. More than a century later, internal combustion engine cars would realize this early dream.
Today, the dray is displayed at the Museum of Arts and Crafts in Paris, bearing witness to a scientific boldness that challenged conventions. This simple steam cart reminds us that innovation often begins with clumsy attempts… before transforming the world.
October 23, 1769, thus marks the first concrete step in the automotive adventure, an achievement that continues to inspire engineers and mobility enthusiasts worldwide.
This page is translated from the original post "Il y a 256 ans, le premier « véhicule automobile » roulait à Paris" in French.
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