Selden Automobile Patent Model, 1879

Object Details

inventor

Selden, George B.

Description

George Selden's dubious claim that he invented the automobile cast a shadow on the early auto manufacturing industry. His claim rested on a patent application for a "road-engine" that he had filed in 1879. A lawyer schooled in science, Selden was intrigued by the challenge of devising an engine light enough to propel a road vehicle. He designed a small, improved version of George Brayton's compression engine of 1872 and filed a patent application for "a liquid-hydrocarbon engine of the compression type" combined with broadly defined chassis components. Selden deliberately delayed issuance of the patent until 1895, when automobiles were attracting more attention. Soon a patent-pooling association of auto manufacturing companies demanded and received royalties from other manufacturers for the right to produce Selden's "invention." Henry Ford, then just entering the automobile industry, became locked in a highly-publicized legal battle with the Selden interests when his application for a license was turned down in 1903. Ford blasted monopolistic control and exploitation by the "automobile trust" and forever fixed his image as an independent businessman fighting a corporate Goliath for the good of all. Ford's victory in court raised his standing in the automotive industry and made him one of the best known businessmen in America. In 1911 the Selden patent was limited to vehicles with Brayton-type engines as modified by Selden, and his influence quickly faded.

Location

Currently not on view

1879

patent date

1895-11-05

ID Number

TR.252678

catalog number

252678

accession number

49064

patent number

549,160

Object Name

patent model, automobile, gasoline

Object Type

Patent Model

Measurements

overall: 7 1/2 in x 6 1/2 in x 11 in; 19.05 cm x 16.51 cm x 27.94 cm

associated place

United States: New York, Rochester

Related Publication

Kendrick, Kathleen M. and Peter C. Liebhold. Smithsonian Treasures of American History

National Museum of American History. Treasures of American History online exhibition

Related Web Publication

http://americanhistory.si.edu/treasures

See more items in

Work and Industry: Transportation, Road

Industry & Manufacturing

National Treasures exhibit

Transportation

Road Transportation

National Museum of American History

Record ID

nmah_1305689

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ac-212a-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa