Automotive History - Catalog - Page 18
Charles
Edgar
Duryea
Road-Vehicle
U.S. Patent No. 540,648
Born Dec. 15, 1861 - Died Sept. 28, 1938
C
harles Edgar Duryea, an American engineer born
near Canton, Illinois, made pioneering
contributions to the automotive industry.
Alongside his brother Frank, he co-founded the
Duryea Motor Wagon Company and engineered the
first working American gasoline-powered car. Born in
1861, Duryea's fascination with mechanics led him to
become a prominent figure in Springfield,
Massachusetts, where he and Frank produced and
tested America's inaugural gasoline-powered vehicle.
Their inspiration stemmed from a Benz gasoline car
they encountered at an Ohio fair.
In 1893, the Duryea brothers conducted the first-ever
road test of an American gasoline-powered automobile
on a farm in Chicopee, Massachusetts. This vehicle,
built from a converted horse-drawn buggy, featured
innovative components such as a friction transmission
and spray carburetor. Frank Duryea further
demonstrated the car's capabilities by test driving it
past their garage in Springfield, garnering significant
attention from local newspapers.
The Duryea Motor Wagon Company was established,
and their vehicle won America's inaugural car race in
1895. The company quickly gained traction, becoming
the first-ever commercially produced vehicle in the
United States. Despite notable achievements, Duryea
ceased manufacturing in 1917.
Charles Duryea's legacy lives on, marking a pivotal
moment in automotive history. He passed away in
1938, leaving behind a lasting impact on the
automotive industry and engineering innovation.
Reference: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (2024, 29. March):
Charles Duryea
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Duryea
