Development of the Industry.—The development of the industry has been a peculiar one, in some respects. As early as the year 1275, Roger Bacon speculated on the possibilities of using steam, or some other form of motive power on wagons, for propelling them.
This is remarkable, when it is understood that the steam engine, as constructed by Watt, was not invented until about 1780. Prior to Watt, steam engines were in operation, the valves of which were manually operated. Watt’s energies were directed to making the valves work automatically, and in economizing the use of steam.
The First Patent.—In 1619, two Englishmen, Ramsey and Wildgoose, secured a patent for “drawing carts without horses,” and even before that time inventors in Germany had made vehicles which were propelled by powerful springs. In the Netherlands devices were constructed to move wagons by means of the wind.
Newton’s Car.—In 1700 Sir Isaac Newton invented a steam car, in which he used Hero’s steam engine, and N. J. Cuguet, a Frenchman, invented a steam car which had some remarkable properties.
Watt’s Invention.—Later Watt invented, and was granted a patent, in 1784, for a steam vehicle, and twelve years thereafter, the first American patent was issued to W. Read, of Massachusetts, for a steam-driven automobile.
These were followed by Symington, about the same time, together with Trevithick, in 1802, Evans in 1805, and Griffith in 1821. While numerous others contributed to the art, the foregoing were the pioneers.
Evans has the distinction of being the first to build a combined boat and wagon; and Griffith was the originator of the body type which had cabins or apartments for the use of travelers.
Traction.—Steam engines were in a fairly perfected condition two hundred years ago, and it has been considered remarkable that for over one hundred and fifty years no practical road device was brought out.
The reason for this was not due to engine faults, but attributable to other things which were not understood at the time. One of these was the question of traction.
Push Legs.—It was believed in the early history of the art, that some other means should be adopted for applying the power, rather than to exert it on the wheels; but as late as 1824 Gordon secured a patent for an improved form of “push legs,” which stepped along and thus propelled the vehicle. This form of propulsion has been revived, in a measure, by the so-called “caterpillar tractors,” in which the wheels are provided with feet, which step along, and are thus specially adapted for heavy trucks on soft roads or on cross country travel.