On this day in 1889 Gottlieb Daimler debuted the first car in Paris, France at the opening of the Paris World Exhibition. This event is well known for a much bigger, in all senses of the word, attraction, as it was the opening of the Eiffel Tower. However Gottlieb did not want to be outshined so he lined his booth with 30 lightbulbs in order to attract people to his stand. Electricity and lighting was still something very new to the world, as was the automobile. This made Gottlieb’s vehicle very enticing to visitors. His vehicle featured an engineering feat, a twin cylinder V-engine that is reminiscent of the modern engines we know today. The car also featured a four speed transmission, a mechanical design in which transmissions for many makes and models followed for years and years. It should be noted that Gottlieb helped build the world’s first four wheeled automobile just three years earlier in 1886 with Wilhelm Maybach. This was the same year that Carl Benz debuted his first automobile. The Paris vehicle was known as the wire-wheel car, thanks to its, well, wire wheels. It also featured a groundbreaking cooling system and frame. Yet, while, it did gain considerable interest, it was hardly a sensation at the Exhibition.
Photo: the 1889 Daimler Wire Wheel Car
The best way to support This Day in Automotive History is to become a monthly subscriber on Facebook.
Subscriber benefits include:
- Most importantly, you’re supporting great content about Automotive History
- Early access to content on Facebook
- Discounts on our store
- Special live videos
If you learned something today, please buy me a beer!
POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE

This House For Sale has a 1916 Ford Model T in the Basement
March 18, 2022

Automotive History for January 23
January 23, 2024

The first Indy 500
May 30, 2016
July 13, 1779 – The birth of William Hedley
July 13, 2016
RECENT POSTS

March 13, 1969 – The Love Bug movie debuts
March 13, 2025

March 12, 1947 – The first Ferrari is completed
March 12, 2025



March 10, 1983 – The Land Rover 110 is announced
March 10, 2025
This Day in Automotive History - the book!

This Day In Automotive History
By Brian Corey
This book tells fascinating tales, bringing individual days to life with short stories, photographs and illustrations.

This Day in Automotive History
This Day in Automotive History is a transportation history, car history and general automotive history website dedicated to providing informative and entertaining content.
We encourage you to share our page and connect with us on Facebook or sign up for our automotive history newsletter. If you’d like your car featured, reach out to us!
We encourage you to share our page and connect with us on Facebook or sign up for our automotive history newsletter. If you’d like your car featured, reach out to us!
Related Posts

March 13, 1969 – The Love Bug movie debuts
March 13, 2025

March 12, 1947 – The first Ferrari is completed
March 12, 2025


SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER!
Connect with us on Facebook or sign up for our automotive history newsletter to keep in touch.