"Cugnot's Engine, 1767"

01

Artifact Overview

French military engineer Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot designed his three-wheeled, steam-powered dray to haul cannons. While it could carry five tons at two miles per hour, Cugnot's unwieldy wagon was difficult to steer, and its inefficient boiler limited the dray's operating time to about 15 minutes. Unimpressed, French officials did not approve Cugnot's steam wagon for military use.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Print (Visual work)

Date Made

circa 1865

Subject Date

circa 1767

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

82.129.882

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Wood engraving (Process)

Dimensions

Height: 3.063 in
Width: 5.813 in

"Cugnot's Engine, 1767"