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- George Selden with the 1907 Selden Motor Buggy during the Selden Patent Suit - 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.
- 1907-1911
- Collections - Artifact
George Selden with the 1907 Selden Motor Buggy during the Selden Patent Suit
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.
- 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.
- Driving the Selden Motor Buggy during the Selden Patent Suit - 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.
- 1907-1911
- Collections - Artifact
Driving the Selden Motor Buggy during the Selden Patent Suit
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.
- "What is the Selden Patent on Gasoline Automobiles?," 1910 - The Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers believed that George Selden's 1895 patent covered any and all internal combustion automobiles. When Henry Ford refused to pay ALAM's requested royalties, the organization took him to court. After a lengthy legal battle, the U.S. Court of Appeals found in Ford's favor in 1911. Automakers were freed from patent fees and Ford became a folk hero.
- April 12, 1910
- Collections - Artifact
"What is the Selden Patent on Gasoline Automobiles?," 1910
The Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers believed that George Selden's 1895 patent covered any and all internal combustion automobiles. When Henry Ford refused to pay ALAM's requested royalties, the organization took him to court. After a lengthy legal battle, the U.S. Court of Appeals found in Ford's favor in 1911. Automakers were freed from patent fees and Ford became a folk hero.
- Baker Electric "Torpedo Kid" Race Car, 1903 - Walter Baker, co-founder of Baker Motor Vehicle Company, promoted his electric production cars with a series of streamlined electric race cars each called "Torpedo Kid." In a land speed run at Ormond Beach, Florida, one of Baker's racers covered a mile in 56 seconds, which translated to a speed of more than 60 miles per hour.
- 1903
- Collections - Artifact
Baker Electric "Torpedo Kid" Race Car, 1903
Walter Baker, co-founder of Baker Motor Vehicle Company, promoted his electric production cars with a series of streamlined electric race cars each called "Torpedo Kid." In a land speed run at Ormond Beach, Florida, one of Baker's racers covered a mile in 56 seconds, which translated to a speed of more than 60 miles per hour.
- 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.
- George Selden with the 1907 Selden Motor Buggy during the Selden Patent Suit - 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.
- 1907-1911
- Collections - Artifact
George Selden with the 1907 Selden Motor Buggy during the Selden Patent Suit
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.
- Baker Electric "Torpedo Kid" Race Car, 1904 - Walter Baker, co-founder of Baker Motor Vehicle Company, promoted his electric production cars with a series of streamlined electric race cars each called "Torpedo Kid." In a land speed run at Ormond Beach, Florida, one of Baker's racers covered a mile in 56 seconds, which translated to a speed of more than 60 miles per hour.
- 1904
- Collections - Artifact
Baker Electric "Torpedo Kid" Race Car, 1904
Walter Baker, co-founder of Baker Motor Vehicle Company, promoted his electric production cars with a series of streamlined electric race cars each called "Torpedo Kid." In a land speed run at Ormond Beach, Florida, one of Baker's racers covered a mile in 56 seconds, which translated to a speed of more than 60 miles per hour.
- Cancelled Requisition Form for Genesee Motor Vehicle Company, Rochester, New York, May 17, 1919 - Though it operated some direct-sales offices in major cities, Ford Motor Company sold most of its Model T cars through franchise agreements with independent dealers. Each franchisee received the right to sell Ford cars within a specific territory. Ford encouraged dealers by offering discounts and rebates to high sellers. But low-selling dealers risked losing their territories.
- May 17, 1919
- Collections - Artifact
Cancelled Requisition Form for Genesee Motor Vehicle Company, Rochester, New York, May 17, 1919
Though it operated some direct-sales offices in major cities, Ford Motor Company sold most of its Model T cars through franchise agreements with independent dealers. Each franchisee received the right to sell Ford cars within a specific territory. Ford encouraged dealers by offering discounts and rebates to high sellers. But low-selling dealers risked losing their territories.
- Court Decision and Opinion by the United States Circuit Court, "Selden Automobile Patent Cases," 1909 - The Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers believed George Selden's 1895 patent covered all internal combustion automobiles. When Henry Ford refused to pay royalties to ALAM, the organization sued. The initial U.S. Circuit Court ruling in 1909 found in ALAM's favor, but Ford won on appeal two years later. Automakers were freed from patent fees and Ford became a folk hero.
- September 15, 1909
- Collections - Artifact
Court Decision and Opinion by the United States Circuit Court, "Selden Automobile Patent Cases," 1909
The Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers believed George Selden's 1895 patent covered all internal combustion automobiles. When Henry Ford refused to pay royalties to ALAM, the organization sued. The initial U.S. Circuit Court ruling in 1909 found in ALAM's favor, but Ford won on appeal two years later. Automakers were freed from patent fees and Ford became a folk hero.