It's the morning of June 4, 1896, in Detroit, Michigan.

The sun's rising into a clear sky, promising yet another beautiful summer day.

What 32-year-old inventor, Henry Ford, isn't interested in the weather.

He's been up since dawn preparing to test out his latest creation.

Eleven years ago, German engineer Carl Benz built the world's first gasoline-powered car.

This invention caught Henry's imagination, and he decided to see if he could build his own automobile.

For the last six months, Henry spent every spare moment he has working on a motorized vehicle that he's calling the quadrucycle.

Now it's finally ready for its first test drive.

But a few moments ago, Henry discovered a problem.

The doors of the shed he's built the machine in are too narrow,

and the only way to get the quadrucycle out is to take a sledgehammer to the doorframe.

After one final swing, the doorframe falls to the floor,

and Henry wipes his brow exhausted.

But then he gathers himself to push the quadricle out of the building, then takes

a moment to admire his creation in the sunlight, a wooden chassis supported on four large bicycle

wheels. Strapped in the middle is a two-cylinder internal combustion engine with an upholstered

seat and a steering tiller perched on top. It's a simple-looking machine, but to Henry,

it's the most beautiful sight in the world. Now he has to see if it works. Henry fires up the

engine, climbs into the seat. He puts the machine into gear, releases the brake, and to his

great delight, the wheels begin to turn. Henry steers the quadricle out of his yard,

onto the quiet streets of Detroit, and into the future.

Ultimately, the quadrucycle will only travel a few blocks before its engine sputters and dies.

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