HORSEPOWER & SASS

The first fuel type was “whatever’s in the shed.” Early engines were basically dumpster-diving.

✗ FAKE
Early engines ran on fuels such as steam from burning wood or coal, then gasoline or ethanol. They were not powered by whatever was in the shed.

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The average car is made up of over 30,000 parts — odds are one is rattling, and your mechanic only hears it when you don’t.License plates were first used in France in 1893 — bonjour, bureaucracy (and speed camera grandparents).The earliest license plates were made of cheese. Which is why traffic stops used to attract raccoons.The first engine oil was made from olive oil. Mediterranean cars were basically salad dressing on wheels.The first electric car ran on static shock from wool sweaters. Winter fashion was basically fuel.The average new car has over 100 million lines of code — your ride is a rolling app with cupholders and patch notes.See all Horsepower & Sass facts →

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