Gounod spent six years and, in 1769, successfully built the world’s first steam-powered vehicle with practical utility. To this day, publications across the globe universally recognize France as the birthplace of the steam car. Nicolas Gounod (1725–1804) and his steam car: At the time, Gounod referred to this vehicle as the “Carbouère” — a remarkably unconventional design featuring a body constructed with a hardwood frame supported by three iron wheels each taller than a man. In the front of the vehicle sat a large, pear-shaped boiler with a capacity of 50 liters, while two cylinders, each holding 11 gallons of steam, were positioned behind the boiler. The boiler’s mechanical linkage transmitted the piston’s motion via a simple crankshaft to the front wheels, causing them to rotate.