Many people assume that 4x4 (four wheel drive), which seems to be all the rage these days, is something new/newish for getting the little munchkins to pre-school, followed later in the day by an excursion to the mall, with all their speed humps and other hazards to pick up supplies.
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Others think World War II started it all with the 'invention' of the Jeep, with the Land Rover picking up the baton, in the immediate post war period.
But as is often the case, neither is even remotely close, and once again there is nothing new under the sun!
The very first 4x4 of any sort is believed to be a traction engine built in 1885 by the English firm of Fowler and Co.
But in terms of automobiles the gong goes to Ferdinand Porsche (perhaps you've heard of him?) who, in 1899, designed an electric powered vehicle for Hofwagenfabrik Ludwig Lohner and Co of Vienna.
In the early days of the evolution of the automobile many were driven by battery power... so nothing really new there.
But the good Dr Porsche's 4x4, showed us another glimpse of the future in the 1889 Lohner Porsche.
It was in fact one of the very early examples of a hybrid, the batteries being charged by a petrol powered generator.
But wait there's more... each wheel incorporated its own electric motor.
Maybe it's been another 'Back to the Future Moment', for all of us!