The First Truck was Invented in 1896

The first pickup model truck was invented by German engineer Gottlieb Daimler in 1896. He named it vehicle 42 and it had a 1.1-liter 2 cylinder engine. This innovative horseless vehicle with towing capacity would become the prototype for all pickups to come, though they didn’t reach popularity until the 1920s.

Before the invention of the modern-day steering wheel, trucks were maneuvered by a lever. This method didn’t allow for the same level of control we now have on modern vehicles but worked well to make basic turns.

The first pickup model truck was invented by German engineer Gottlieb Daimler in 1896. He named it vehicle 42 and it had a 1.1-liter 2 cylinder engine. This innovative horseless vehicle with towing capacity would become the prototype for all pickups to come, though they didn’t reach popularity until the 1920s.