Advertising Flier, "Automobile Races at New Baltimore," January 9, 1904

In January 1904, Henry Ford attempted to drive 100 miles per hour on frozen Lake St. Clair -- the best-available smooth, flat running surface. Timekeepers weren't present on the advertised January 9 date, so Ford made his official run three days later. He was clocked at 91.37 miles per hour -- short of his goal but enough for a new world record.