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- "Commuter Vehicles Inc. Specifications & Answers to Questions," 1982 - This brochure from 1982 provided specifications and answers to questions about the electric Comuta-Car. Sharp increases in gasoline prices in the 1970s persuaded some buyers to purchase small vehicles from Commuter Vehicles, Inc. But every time the price of fuel spiked, it always fell again, and demand for electrics-- designed for limited use in cities--always fell along with it.

- 1982
- Collections - Artifact
"Commuter Vehicles Inc. Specifications & Answers to Questions," 1982
This brochure from 1982 provided specifications and answers to questions about the electric Comuta-Car. Sharp increases in gasoline prices in the 1970s persuaded some buyers to purchase small vehicles from Commuter Vehicles, Inc. But every time the price of fuel spiked, it always fell again, and demand for electrics-- designed for limited use in cities--always fell along with it.
- Baker Electric Automobile, 1900 - Walter C. Baker and F. Philip Dorn co-founded Baker Motor Vehicle Company in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1899. From the start, the company specialized in electric vehicles. The electric runabout in this photo was priced at $850. Baker production continued until 1916, by which time gasoline-powered vehicles with internal combustion engines were dominating the market.

- circa 1901
- Collections - Artifact
Baker Electric Automobile, 1900
Walter C. Baker and F. Philip Dorn co-founded Baker Motor Vehicle Company in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1899. From the start, the company specialized in electric vehicles. The electric runabout in this photo was priced at $850. Baker production continued until 1916, by which time gasoline-powered vehicles with internal combustion engines were dominating the market.
- Battery Powered Electric Vehicles: State of the Art 1978 - This informational book promotes the value of battery-powered vehicles.

- 1978
- Collections - Artifact
Battery Powered Electric Vehicles: State of the Art 1978
This informational book promotes the value of battery-powered vehicles.
- "Henry Ford and Thomas A. Edison Buy the Detroit Electric," 1914 - Detroit Electric was the best-known and longest-lived American electric car company, producing automobiles from 1907-1939. The company marketed its cars to well-to-do customers -- particularly women -- looking for a clean, quiet car in which to take short trips in cities, where electricity was readily available and range wasn't an issue. Detroit Electric buyers included Henry Ford and Thomas Edison.

- March 28, 1914
- Collections - Artifact
"Henry Ford and Thomas A. Edison Buy the Detroit Electric," 1914
Detroit Electric was the best-known and longest-lived American electric car company, producing automobiles from 1907-1939. The company marketed its cars to well-to-do customers -- particularly women -- looking for a clean, quiet car in which to take short trips in cities, where electricity was readily available and range wasn't an issue. Detroit Electric buyers included Henry Ford and Thomas Edison.
- Child Charging a Rauch & Lang Electric Car in a Home Garage, 1917 - Safety was a frequent theme in electric automobile advertising. Certainly, electric cars were safer to start than hand-cranked gasoline cars. But manufacturers also stressed that electrics were safe to charge. This illustration, from a 1917 Rauch and Lang Carriage Company catalog, vividly makes the point with a child holding the plug while mother turns on the power.

- 1917
- Collections - Artifact
Child Charging a Rauch & Lang Electric Car in a Home Garage, 1917
Safety was a frequent theme in electric automobile advertising. Certainly, electric cars were safer to start than hand-cranked gasoline cars. But manufacturers also stressed that electrics were safe to charge. This illustration, from a 1917 Rauch and Lang Carriage Company catalog, vividly makes the point with a child holding the plug while mother turns on the power.
- Letter to Clara Ford from Anderson Electric Car Company, 1915 - Surprisingly, Clara Ford -- wife of Henry Ford -- drove an electric car instead of a Ford Model T. Early electrics were often marketed to women because of the cars' cleanliness and ease of operation. Anderson Electric, maker of Mrs. Ford's car, sent this letter hoping she might suggest a few friends interested in buying an electric vehicle.

- April 21, 1915
- Collections - Artifact
Letter to Clara Ford from Anderson Electric Car Company, 1915
Surprisingly, Clara Ford -- wife of Henry Ford -- drove an electric car instead of a Ford Model T. Early electrics were often marketed to women because of the cars' cleanliness and ease of operation. Anderson Electric, maker of Mrs. Ford's car, sent this letter hoping she might suggest a few friends interested in buying an electric vehicle.
- Charging Station For Nissan Leaf Automobile, 2011 - As new environmental problems emerged and gas prices rose at the end of the 20th century, electric vehicles seemed viable again. But if electric cars are to be widely used, battery recharging must be convenient. AeroVironment, a California-based company, produced an at-home charging station for Nissan and other electric car manufacturers. This standardized connector and plug are part of that equipment.

- 2011
- Collections - Artifact
Charging Station For Nissan Leaf Automobile, 2011
As new environmental problems emerged and gas prices rose at the end of the 20th century, electric vehicles seemed viable again. But if electric cars are to be widely used, battery recharging must be convenient. AeroVironment, a California-based company, produced an at-home charging station for Nissan and other electric car manufacturers. This standardized connector and plug are part of that equipment.
- 1901 Baker Electric Runabout - Walter C. Baker, an engineer from Cleveland, Ohio, partnered with F. Philip Dorn to build an electrically powered automobile in 1897. They organized the Baker Motor Vehicle Company in 1899. The company specialized in electric vehicles and, by 1905, its annual production was approximately 400 cars. Electricity competed against gasoline and steam as a popular power option for early automobiles.

- 1901
- Collections - Artifact
1901 Baker Electric Runabout
Walter C. Baker, an engineer from Cleveland, Ohio, partnered with F. Philip Dorn to build an electrically powered automobile in 1897. They organized the Baker Motor Vehicle Company in 1899. The company specialized in electric vehicles and, by 1905, its annual production was approximately 400 cars. Electricity competed against gasoline and steam as a popular power option for early automobiles.
- Sales Catalog for Baker Electric Shaft Driven Automobiles, 1911 - The Baker Motor Vehicle Company produced this elaborately folded catalog to tout the quality of its electric vehicles. The company praised their automobile's modern shaft drive, its all-around efficiency, and its safety, comfort and low cost of operation. By mid-decade, however, sales of "electrics" were in decline. Gasoline-powered vehicles with internal combustion engines were dominating the market.

- 1911
- Collections - Artifact
Sales Catalog for Baker Electric Shaft Driven Automobiles, 1911
The Baker Motor Vehicle Company produced this elaborately folded catalog to tout the quality of its electric vehicles. The company praised their automobile's modern shaft drive, its all-around efficiency, and its safety, comfort and low cost of operation. By mid-decade, however, sales of "electrics" were in decline. Gasoline-powered vehicles with internal combustion engines were dominating the market.
- 1910 Baker Electrics Advertisement, "The Aristocrats of Motordom" - This 1910 advertisement praised the Baker Motor Vehicle Company's electric cars as the "Aristocrats of Motordom." The ad touted the advantages of Baker electrics. Their vehicles were simple to use, reliable, safe, clean, and elegantly styled -- qualities apparently desired by many well-to-do customers.

- April 21, 1910
- Collections - Artifact
1910 Baker Electrics Advertisement, "The Aristocrats of Motordom"
This 1910 advertisement praised the Baker Motor Vehicle Company's electric cars as the "Aristocrats of Motordom." The ad touted the advantages of Baker electrics. Their vehicles were simple to use, reliable, safe, clean, and elegantly styled -- qualities apparently desired by many well-to-do customers.