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Innovation Journey - Electric Vehicles

17 artifacts in this set

When most people think of electric vehicles, they think of the Tesla, which is actually only the most recent in a long history of American innovations.

Detailed Description

Edison Electric Runabout, circa 1889

Automobile

Thomas Edison had this car built about 1889 to investigate electricity as a power source for automobiles. The three-wheeled vehicle has two electric motors, each separately connected to one of the front wheels. Having successfully operated the car, Edison put it aside for several years. He reactivated the runabout in 1905 to test experimental nickel-iron alkaline batteries.