America"s love affair with the automobile has been going strong for more than a century, but the real story began in 1886, when German engineer Karl Benz received a patent for the first gasoline-powered motor vehicle. The Car documents this fascinating history, from the fragile engineering of the earliest models to the cutting-edge technology of today . . . and tomorrow. A unique collection of facsimile documents and memorabilia, including Benz"s pioneering patent, makes The Car a must-have for any automobile enthusiast.