Truca winner of Targa-Florio Race, Italy

The automobile was first invented and perfected in Germany and France in the late 1890s. Americans quickly came to dominate the automotive industry after WWI. Throughout this initial era, the development of automotive technology was rapid. Hundreds of small manufacturers competing to gain the world's attention. Key developments included the electric ignition system, independent suspension, and four-wheel brakes. Transmissions and throttle controls were widely adopted and safety glass also made its debut. Henry Ford perfected mass-production techniques, and Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler emerged as the “Big Three” auto companies by the 1920s. Car manufacturers received enormous orders from the military during World War II, and afterward automobile production in the United States, Europe, and Japan soared.

Italian Time Travel Trip 1906 Italy was getting ready for the 1908 Summer Olympics when Mount Vesuvius erupted. It became active in January and culminated with an eruption on April 5th, when Vesuvius killed over 100 people and ejected the most lava ever recorded from a Vesuvian eruption ever. Government funds previously allocated for the Summer Olympics had to be diverted to the reconstruction of Naples, requiring a new location for the Olympics to be found. April 10 – The lava flow from Mount Vesuvius, which had almost ceased, starts again in the direction of Torre Annunziata; reached the cemetery of that town and then turned in the direction of Pompeii (again!). April 28 – The Milan International world's fair opens in Milan. It welcomed 4,012,776 visits and covered 100 hectares (250 acres). May 6 – The first Targa Florio, an open road endurance automobile race, starts in the mountains of Sicily near Palermo. The race was initiated by Vincenzo Florio and is considered to be the oldest sports car racing event.