'Cars' exhibition: Eccentric design before Tesla's Cybertruck

Its striking design was inspired by the 1982 cult sci-fi film, "Blade Runner." The stainless-steel structure and "Tesla Armor Glass" are said to be unbreakable — although the Cybertruck's windows were smashed by metal balls during the unveiling of the vehicle. It's set to hit the market in two years; meanwhile, an exhibition at London's V&A museum looks back at the history of automobile design.

This vehicle from 1886 still looks like a traditional carriage; but the model, developed by Carl Benz, was the first to be powered by a gas engine. It marked the birth of the automobile. Initially a two-seater, an improved version offered a front seat as well. The first long-distance journey of 180 kilometers undertaken by the inventor's wife, Bertha Benz, and their two sons, remains legendary.

Until the 1920s, most designs still reproduced the shape of a carriage — and by association, the power of an engine is also measured in horsepower (hp). For this Hispano-Suiza HB6 chassis from 1919, which had the engine placed at the front of the car, French coach builder Jean-Henri Labourdette came up with a completely new body, the "skiff-torpedo" built in the style of a wooden boat.

Among the leading engineers who contributed some vital technical developments in the automotive industry was German inventor Robert Bosch. His innovations include an electric motor that powered windshield wiper blades. Made available in 1926, drivers previously had to rely on a mechanical system — or simply wipe their windshields by hand.

Launched in 1934, the Tatra T77 is seen as the first mass-produced truly aerodynamically-designed automobiles. The Czech company collaborated with Paul Jaray, a designer who had previously worked on developing the Zeppelin. He tested the teardrop-shaped car in wind tunnels. Advertising was also becoming increasingly important for marketing, with the above image from a French ad for the model.

In the 1950s, automobile designer Fritz Fend created this three-wheeled Cabin Scooter Bubble Top for the German manufacturer Messerschmitt. With its hinged door and control panel set around a steering bar, its design was reminiscent of that of an aircraft cockpit and was conceived to allow war invalids to drive it. The vehicle could reach a speed of 90 km/h (56 mph) — not bad for a tricycle.

Is it a car or a jet? The Firebird developed by General Motors in 1953 featured all kinds of technical innovations, including a bullet-shaped fuselage made of fiberglass and a joystick serving as a steering wheel. It was also the first gas, turbine-powered car tested in the US. Even though it had a cool-looking design, the jet plane on wheels was entirely impractical and remained a prototype.

The automotive industry was one of the most directly affected by automation. That however didn't free workers from exploitative labor practices. This US poster from the 1950s shows how they aimed to defend their rights, with unions calling for shorter work weeks instead of job cuts.

This glass hood ornament was designed by René Lalique for the French car manufacturer Citroen circa 1925. "Victoire" features an androgynous head with wind-blown hair. The mascot was illuminated by internal electric lighting. The original pieces are very rare and expensive today, as the fragile glass sculptures were often damaged on the road.

"Graham" depicts a human who's evolved to naturally survive car crashes. His flat face absorbs impact, his fluid-filled large skull protects his brain and a series of nipples serve as an airbag. Artist Patricia Piccinini developed her sculpture with a surgeon. It's part of the exhibition "Cars: Accelerating the Modern World," on show at the Victoria & Albert Museum until April 19, 2020.