The invention of the automobile is often attributed to Karl Benz, a German engineer. In 1886, Benz created the Motorwagen, considered the world's first practical automobile powered by an internal combustion engine. His innovative design featured a lightweight chassis and a four-stroke engine that made it a functional vehicle for personal transport. Although other inventors contributed to the development of automobiles, Benz's Motorwagen was the first to be commercially available, paving the way for mass production and transforming transportation. His work laid the foundation for the automotive industry, influencing how people travel and facilitating global mobility.