The first practical automobile is generally attributed to Karl Benz, a German engineer who created the Benz Patent Motorwagen in 1885-1886. This vehicle is regarded as the first true automobile due to its use of an internal combustion engine powered by gasoline. Benz's innovative design included a chassis specifically made for the engine and practical features such as an electric ignition, a water radiator, and a differential. The Motorwagen marked a significant advancement in automotive technology and laid the foundation for modern automobiles. It symbolized the beginning of the automotive age and dramatically changed transportation.