This is why Tesla events are usually a blast - even if you aren't there

Tesla events tend to be some of the most exciting in not just the automotive world, but the worlds of business and technology.

Sure, Apple gets a lot of attention for its events. But we're talking about tiny glass-and-metal devices here. Tesla has giant robots that sling around the chassis of entire cars.

Over the years, Tesla and CEO Elon Musk have evolved their events into spectacles. As the car maker prepares to reveal its Model 3 mass-market vehicle in Los Angeles on Thursday night, we're taking a look back.