FIRST - Light Self-Propelled Highway Vehicle in the United States - Racine, WI
N 42° 41.938 W 087° 50.313
16T E 431318 N 4727727
In 1873, the Rev. Dr. J. W. Carhart of Racine designed and operated the first light self-propelled highway vehicle in the United States. This marker is located in Pritchard Park in Racine, WI.
Waymark Code: WM5G2F
Location: Wisconsin, United States
Date Posted: 01/02/2009
Views: 10
The marker reads:
"The Spark
In 1873, the Rev. Dr. J. W. Carhart of Racine designed and operated the first light self-propelled highway vehicle in the United States, and probably the first in the world. He named it the Spark. It was driven by a two cylinder steam engine, steered by a lever, and had a speed of five miles an hour. When his "infernal machine" first appeared, the hideous noise created by its operation caused the people of Racine to threaten to run Carhart out of town. Carhart seems to have agreed with the general opinion of his invention, but added, "It must be remembered that at the time there was no liquid fuel, ball bearings, or rubber tires." At the 1908 International Automodbile Exposition held in Paris, France, Carhart was addressed as the "Father of Automobiles" and received a cash award and a certificate of honor for his invention."
FIRST - Classification Variable: Item or Event
Date of FIRST: 01/01/1873
More Information - Web URL: [Web Link]
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