Driving the 1907 Selden Motor Buggy during the Selden Patent Suit

01

Artifact Overview

George Selden conceived -- but didn't build -- a self-propelled gasoline-powered vehicle in 1877 and patented the idea in 1895. The Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers enforced Selden's patent, but Henry Ford fought ALAM in court. This car was completed for Selden in 1907 as evidence for the legal battle. Ford ultimately won, freeing himself and other automakers from paying royalties to ALAM.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

1907-1911

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

84.1.1671.3

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 8.25 in
Width: 10.25 in