Early motor vehicles emerged in the late 19th century, marking a significant shift from horse-drawn carriages. The first successful gasoline-powered vehicle was created by Karl Benz in 1885, known as the Benz Patent-Motorwagen. These vehicles were initially expensive and limited in production, primarily used by the wealthy. As technology advanced, mass production techniques, like those introduced by Henry Ford in the early 20th century, made cars more affordable. The Model T, launched in 1908, became one of the first cars accessible to the general public, revolutionizing transportation and paving the way for the automotive industry we know today.