Selden Road-Engine Specifications, U. S. Patent Number 549,160, November 5, 1895
Add to SetSummary
George Selden conceived -- but didn't build -- a gasoline-powered self-propelled vehicle in 1877. Selden, a patent attorney, shrewdly waited until 1895 to receive a patent on the idea -- long enough for the automobile industry to emerge and his patent to become valuable. After an eight-year legal fight led by Henry Ford, Selden's broad patent claim was severely restricted in 1911.
George Selden conceived -- but didn't build -- a gasoline-powered self-propelled vehicle in 1877. Selden, a patent attorney, shrewdly waited until 1895 to receive a patent on the idea -- long enough for the automobile industry to emerge and his patent to become valuable. After an eight-year legal fight led by Henry Ford, Selden's broad patent claim was severely restricted in 1911.
Artifact
Patent
Date Made
1895
Collection Title
On Exhibit
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
86.185.116
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Henry Austin Clark, Jr.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Printing (Process)
Color
Black-and-white (Colors)
Dimensions
Height: 11.375 in
Width: 7.875 in
Inscriptions
first page: UNTIED STATES PATENT OFFICE / GEORGE B. SELDEN OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK / ROAD-ENGINE [...] NOVEMBER 5, 1895 / Application filed May 9, 1879 second page: G.B. SELDEN / ROAD ENGINE / 2 Sheets- Sheet 1 third page: G.B. SELDEN / ROAD ENGINE / 2 Sheets- Sheet 2
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