Automobiles were first developed in Germany in the late nineteenth century. During the first decade of the twentieth century, automobile manufacturing began moving from hand-made cars to mass production and mass marketing. As with most innovations, the early automobiles relied on what had come before: carriages and wagons which had once been pulled by horses were now powered by engines.
There were a number of concerns and competing ideas at this time about how to power the new vehicles: gasoline engines or steam engines or electric motors. Borrowing from marine technology many of the early cars were steered with a tiller while some used a steering wheel. There were also different ideas about where the driver should sit: on the right or on the left, or, in some cases in the rear.
Harold LeMay, a Tacoma businessman, loved cars and managed to collect more than 3,000 automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles over forty years of collecting. A number of the vehicles from his collection form the nucleus of the LeMay—America’s Car Museum. This collection of more than 300 cars, motorcycles, and trucks is displayed in a four-level building in Tacoma, Washington. Shown below are some of the cars before 1910 displayed in the LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington.
1902 Locomobile Steam Surrey
According to the Museum:
“Locomobile steam cars are great examples of what very early mass-produced steam automobiles typically looked like.”
The starting price for the 1902 Steam Surrey was just $750, an affordable price compared to other vehicles as this time. However, the car could only go 15-20 miles before stopping for more water and fuel.
1902 Studebaker Electric Express Wagon
Studebaker produced horse-drawn vehicles from 1852 until 1920. By 1872 Studebaker was the largest vehicle producer in the world. In 1902, Studebaker began producing electric automobiles and trucks. The wagon shown below could travel up to 12 mph with a range up to 40 miles.
Notice the chain-drive mechanism.
1903 Oldsmobile Model R Runabout (replica)
The Oldsmobile Model R, known as the “Curved Dash” Oldsmobile, was the first car to bear the Oldsmobile name and was one of the first mass-produced cars in the United States. It was the first automobile used by the U.S. Postal Service to deliver mail. This car has a 1-cylinder, 95 cubic inch, 4.5 horsepower engine.
1906 Cadillac Model M, Tulip Tourer, 5-Passenger
This car has a 1-cylinder, 98.2 cubic inch, 10 horsepower engine with a 2-speed planetary transmission.
1909 Hudson Model Twenty Roadster
Hudson Motor Car Company, named for department store owner Joseph L. Hudson who financed the company, was founded to build low-priced cars. The Hudson Twenty was one of the first low-priced American cars and sold more than 4,000 during their first year. This car has a 4-cylinder, 199 cubic inch, 20 horsepower engine.
1909 Hupmobile Model 20 Roadster
Robert C. Hupp, the founder of the Hupp Motor Car Company, had worked for Oldsmobile, Ford, and Regal. His goal was to produce “a small car of the highest grade at a low price.” This car has a 4-cylinder, 17 horsepower engine.
More cars
Packard Museum: Early Packards (photo diary)
WAAAM: Automobiles Before 1910 (Photo Diary)
Truck Museum: Trucks Before 1920 (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Automobiles of the 1920s (Photo Diary)
WAAAM: Packard Automobiles (Photo Diary)
WAAAM: Studebaker Automobiles (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: A couple of Chryslers and a Plymouth from the 1930s
WAAAM: Overland Automobiles (Photo Diary)