1899 – THE FIRST TOUR DE FRANCE AUTOMOBILE BEGINS
The inaugural Tour de France Automobile began on July 16, 1899, sending competitors on an ambitious multiday journey around France at a time when long-distance automobile travel remained an extraordinary challenge. Organized by the French newspaper Le Matin under the supervision of the Automobile Club de France, the event covered approximately 2,170 kilometers across seven stages before returning to Paris on July 24. René de Knyff won the contest driving a Panhard et Levassor, completing the route in just under 45 hours of accumulated driving time. The event demonstrated the growing speed and reliability of early automobiles while helping establish long-distance road racing as an important proving ground for manufacturers.
1909 – AUGUST HORCH ESTABLISHES THE COMPANY THAT BECAME AUDI
Automotive pioneer August Horch founded a new automobile company in Zwickau, Germany, on July 16, 1909, after leaving the earlier business that carried his name. Because the Horch name remained legally tied to his former company, the new organization eventually required a different identity. During a meeting with business associates, the son of one participant reportedly suggested translating “Horch,” meaning “listen” or “hark” in German, into Latin. The result was “Audi,” and the new name was formally registered in 1910. Audi later joined Horch, DKW and Wanderer to form Auto Union in 1932, creating the four-brand alliance represented by Audi’s familiar four-ring emblem.
1935 – THE WORLD’S FIRST PARKING METERS ENTER SERVICE
The world’s first municipal parking meters entered service in downtown Oklahoma City on July 16, 1935. Developed through the efforts of attorney and newspaper publisher Carl C. Magee, the mechanical devices were intended to discourage motorists from occupying valuable downtown parking spaces for an entire day. The original “Park-O-Meters” charged five cents for one hour of parking, and approximately 175 meters were installed across 14 city blocks during the initial rollout. Although many drivers disliked paying to park on public streets, the experiment proved successful and was soon copied by cities throughout the United States and around the world.
1998 – NISSAN TERRANO PRODUCTION PASSES ONE MILLION VEHICLES
Nissan announced on July 16, 1998, that Japanese production of the Terrano sport utility vehicle had surpassed one million units. Introduced in August 1986, the rugged four-wheel-drive model reached the milestone after approximately 11 years and 11 months of production. Sold in several international markets and closely related to the Nissan Pathfinder offered in North America, the Terrano helped Nissan establish a strong presence in the growing compact and midsize SUV market. A redesigned second-generation model arrived in late 1995, bringing updated styling, improved comfort and greater refinement while retaining the off-road capability that had helped make the original model successful.
2006 – MICHAEL SCHUMACHER WINS A RECORD EIGHTH FRENCH GRAND PRIX
Michael Schumacher made Formula One history on July 16, 2006, when he won the French Grand Prix for a record eighth time. Driving for Ferrari at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Schumacher started from pole position, recorded the fastest lap and controlled the race on his way to victory. His previous French Grand Prix wins had come in 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002 and 2004, making him the first Formula One driver to win the same Grand Prix eight times. The performance also marked the 22nd occasion on which Schumacher earned pole position, the race victory and fastest lap during the same Grand Prix weekend, further reinforcing his reputation as one of the most dominant drivers in motorsport history.
