So that, while Duryea completed his car in 1892, Ford his in 1893, and Haynes his in 1894, it was six, five and four years, respectively, later, that the first gasoline car was purchased in the United States.
From 1898, the time of the sale of the Winton car, dates substantially the development of the automobile industry in this country.
Beginning with this date, the first real enthusiasm was put into the sale of cars.
Enthusiasm had not existed before. Confidence, which is the mother of enthusiasm, had hesitated and halted. But now confidence believed the automobile was a reality—all doubts had been resolved—and confidence bade enthusiasm run, not creep, crawl or walk; and we see how enthusiasm obeyed. In the enthusiasm displayed in the manufacture and sale of automobiles today, we are disposed to think it does more than run, that it actually flies.
CHAPTER III.
COMMERCIALIZING THE MOTOR VEHICLE.
In the production of the automobile, America did comparatively little in the fundamentals of invention which are now found in the modern perfected car.
Selden invented the three-cylinder gasoline engine, by which the rapid revolution of the crankshaft of his day was converted into slower but higher powered motion of drive wheels.
White invented a generator for steam cars.
Haynes was responsible for a discovery that caused alloy and specially heat-treated steel to be introduced, and Knight produced a superior motor.
But these were discoveries, inventions or improvements that were supplemental and perfecting, not elemental.