1872 – Bertha Ringer and Karl Benz Are Married
Bertha Ringer and Karl Benz were married in Pforzheim, Germany, on July 20, 1872, beginning a partnership that would play an important role in the development of the modern automobile. Before their marriage, Bertha had invested part of her dowry in Karl’s struggling engineering ventures and continued to support his efforts as he pursued the idea of a practical self-propelled vehicle. Her contributions extended far beyond financial support. In 1888, Bertha completed the first long-distance automobile journey, demonstrating the usefulness of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen and helping generate public interest in the invention. Their partnership became one of the foundational stories of automotive history.
1894 – Automotive Entrepreneur E.L. Cord Is Born
Errett Lobban “E.L.” Cord was born in Warrensburg, Missouri, on July 20, 1894. Beginning his career as a mechanic, racing driver and automobile salesman, Cord rose rapidly through the automotive industry after helping revive the struggling Auburn Automobile Company during the 1920s. He later assembled the Cord Corporation, a vast transportation-focused business empire that included Auburn, Duesenberg, Lycoming Engines, Stinson Aircraft and several other companies. The automobiles produced under his leadership were among the most advanced and stylish of their era, including the front-wheel-drive Cord L-29 and the celebrated Cord 810 and 812.
1940 – Britain Restricts the Sale of New Private Automobiles
The British government prohibited the purchase of new private automobiles beginning July 20, 1940, as the country redirected resources toward the growing demands of World War II. The restriction came during a period of fuel rationing, material shortages and widespread government efforts to limit nonessential civilian consumption. Automobile manufacturers increasingly shifted production toward military vehicles, aircraft components and other wartime needs, while civilian motorists were encouraged to conserve fuel and extend the lives of vehicles already on the road. The measure reflected the rapid transformation of Britain’s automotive industry during the first years of the war.
1940 – The First Section of the Arroyo Seco Parkway Opens
A 3.7-mile section of California’s Arroyo Seco Parkway opened to traffic on July 20, 1940, connecting South Pasadena with Avenue 40 in Los Angeles. Designed as a high-speed, limited-access route between Pasadena and downtown Los Angeles, the roadway combined elements of an earlier scenic parkway with features that anticipated the modern urban freeway. The remainder of the route was completed and formally dedicated in December 1940. Later associated with U.S. Route 66, the Arroyo Seco Parkway became an influential model for freeway construction in California and marked an important transition toward automobile-centered metropolitan transportation.
1967 – The Final Panhard Passenger Car Leaves the Factory
The final Panhard passenger automobile left the company’s factory in Ivry-sur-Seine, France, at approximately 4 p.m. on July 20, 1967, ending more than seven decades of civilian automobile production. The last vehicle was a Panhard 24, a streamlined front-wheel-drive coupe that represented the final generation of road cars from one of France’s oldest automotive manufacturers. Panhard had helped establish several conventions of early automobile design and became known for innovative engineering, lightweight construction and distinctive air-cooled engines. Although passenger-car production ended, the Panhard name continued through the manufacture of military vehicles.
