Steam Car History
Steam, as a means to power automobiles, has been of interest since the 1600s. Cars fueled by steam, while less common than gas-powered cars, have been sold on the open market on multiple occasions with some success.
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First Steam Car
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Nicolas Joseph Cugnot, a Frenchman, designed the first steam car, in 1769. It had three wheels and could carry four passengers, but was not technically designed to be a passenger car. Rather, it was designed to move artillery from location to location during wartime.
Patent
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In 1789, Oliver Evans, an inventor who was well known for his work with steam engines designed to power vehicles including trains and boats, obtained the first U.S. Patent for a steam car. The engine used in his car was similar in size to those used in golf carts in 2010.
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Practical Advances
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During the mid-1800s, steam engines were redesigned and made a practical option for automobile owners. Between 1820 and 1840, steam-powered cars were standard for taxi service in England. These early cars, such as the Rapide, could carry six people and travel at 37 miles per hour.
Stanley Steamer
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The Stanley brothers developed one of the most famous steam cars in 1906. This car was the fastest steam automobile of its kind, reaching top speeds of 127 miles per hour.
Modern times
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Modern designers have tried to bring back the steam car. In 1973, as a result of the oil crisis, Saab made a prototype for a steam-powered car, which would have been capable of 160 horsepower. However, its design never made it to the production line. In 2009, in an attempt to break the record set by the Stanley steamer, Team Inspiration built and drove--at the British Steam Car Challenge--a steam car capable of about 140 miles per hour.
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