On July 22, 1894, at 8 o'clock in the morning, the first ever automobile races began in Paris.

The initiator of the competition was the editor-in-chief of the Paris newspaper La Petite Journal Pierre Giffard. The car run was supposed to demonstrate the capabilities of a new type of transport -— self-propelled carriages. The participants had to take their cars on a given route — Paris-Rouen — in 12 hours.

The machines impressed with a variety of shapes and designs. 39 cars had internal combustion engines, followed by "steam engines" in the amount of 28 pieces. Five electric and pneumatic vehicles were presented, 25 devices were included in the nomination "Other systems". After the qualifying "races", 28 cars were allowed to start — 14 with gasoline and 7 with steam engines.

Leaving for the distance with a half-minute interval, the cars left the capital and headed for Rouen, 126 kilometers to the northwest. Only 17 cars managed to reach the finish line. The highest speed (more than 22 km / h) was reached by a 20-horsepower steam car mark developed by Marquis Albert De Dion “De Dion-Bud”.

However, the first prize by the decision of the jury was divided between two petrol cars of the Peugeot and Panar-Levassor brands. They were considered the most reliable.

The artists of our gallery also draw on the topic of technology and machines, here are some examples:

Mark Tennant, "Suburbs"

Alexander Kabin, "All like the people 1"

Victor Ribas, "Bike MV Agusta"

Alejandro Rodriguez Fajardo, "Eusebio Navarro"