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- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- "Selden Patent Overthrown by Federal Court," 1911 - 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.
- January 09, 1911
- Collections - Artifact
"Selden Patent Overthrown by Federal Court," 1911
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.
- "Selden Loses Decision in Circuit Court of Appeals," 1911 - 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.
- January 09, 1911
- Collections - Artifact
"Selden Loses Decision in Circuit Court of Appeals," 1911
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.
- Detroit News Headline Announcing the Selden Patent Lawsuit Decision, January 10, 1911 - 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.
- January 10, 1911
- Collections - Artifact
Detroit News Headline Announcing the Selden Patent Lawsuit Decision, January 10, 1911
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.
- Selden Road-Engine Specifications, U. S. Patent Number 549,160, November 5, 1895 - George Selden conceived -- but didn't build -- a gasoline-powered self-propelled vehicle in 1877. Selden, a patent attorney, shrewdly waited until 1895 to receive a patent on the idea -- long enough for the automobile industry to emerge and his patent to become valuable. After an eight-year legal fight led by Henry Ford, Selden's broad patent claim was severely restricted in 1911.
- 1895
- Collections - Artifact
Selden Road-Engine Specifications, U. S. Patent Number 549,160, November 5, 1895
George Selden conceived -- but didn't build -- a gasoline-powered self-propelled vehicle in 1877. Selden, a patent attorney, shrewdly waited until 1895 to receive a patent on the idea -- long enough for the automobile industry to emerge and his patent to become valuable. After an eight-year legal fight led by Henry Ford, Selden's broad patent claim was severely restricted in 1911.
- Driving 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
Driving 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.
- Advertisement for the 1904 Ford Line of Cars, "Boosted into Popular Favor by the Knocks of the Trust" - The advertisement refers to George Selden's 1895 patent. Selden, a patent attorney and inventor was granted a U.S. patent for an automobile, just before the auto industry began to flourish. He collected royalties from early car manufacturers, claiming his right as owner of the patent. Four auto makers, including Henry Ford, contested Selden's patent which was invalidated in 1911.
- March 30, 1904
- Collections - Artifact
Advertisement for the 1904 Ford Line of Cars, "Boosted into Popular Favor by the Knocks of the Trust"
The advertisement refers to George Selden's 1895 patent. Selden, a patent attorney and inventor was granted a U.S. patent for an automobile, just before the auto industry began to flourish. He collected royalties from early car manufacturers, claiming his right as owner of the patent. Four auto makers, including Henry Ford, contested Selden's patent which was invalidated in 1911.