G.A. Long’s Steam Road Vehicle patent of 10 July 1883 from Google Patents
When it comes to who built America’s first automobile, the discussion becomes as overheated as a car climbing New Hampshire’s Mt. Washington. The answer comes down to the details.
What is the definition of an automobile, other than being self-propelled? Does it need to be gasoline powered, or would steam-power qualify it for first place? Does it need to have four wheels, or will three do?
What would you accept as proof of the earliest–a patent, a newspaper clipping, a photograph? If you search the internet, or review a book on early automobiles, you will see conflicting stories and a long list of people claiming to have been the very first. Instead of arguing these points, I’ll simply tell you George Alvin Long’s fascinating story. Continue reading
