Research on Vehicle Power Sources: Steam, Electric & Gas

[Guest Mike Flinton]

I'm doing research for a post-gradute paper on how the gasoline powered vehicle won out over steam and battery power in the closing years of the 1890s and early years of the 20th century and how that has shaped the American lifestyle.

Would appreciate any suggestions/references on articles, books, publications and images relating to this subject.

Thanks.

Mike

Galway, NY

[Peter J.Heizmann]

Mike...Welcome to the AACA Forum.

Our AACA Library & Research Center is a repository of thousands of original automotive books, spec sheets, and, sales literature.

You could do two things:

1. Click on Library under the Resources block above for an overview of our Library & Research Center and Request Form info...or,

2. Phone the L&RC and speak with Kim Miller, Librarian or any other staff members. (717-534-2082)

Best,

Peter J.

[Guest Mike Flinton]

Thanks, Peter. Will check it out.

Mike

[Rusty_OToole]

In 1900 all 3 were about equal. All had their proponents and their advantages.

Electricity was the surest, safest, quietest but suffered from the fact that batteries are not a very good power source. The range of an electric was limited. This drawback was not very marked because gas and steam were limited too.

Steam was the most popular for stationary and locomotive use. Many men knew how a steam engine worked and how to operate one. For the designer, steam power had been understood for over 100 years, the main problems were making a steam powerplant light enough for a car and easy to manage.

A motorist of the day observed "Any man can run a steamer, any woman can run an electric but neither man woman or child can understand a gas engine".

Gas had the most promise but also the severest drawbacks. Noisy, fractious, unreliable and generally unsuited to car use. But it seemed that it would be the simplest and most efficient, in theory.

As time went on gas developed the fastest. Its faults were mostly overcome, the big breakthrough came with the introduction of electric starters in 1915. Gas cars offered the best value for money and by this time were much more reliable. Also people were more used to cars and driving and could manage them better, this is a point that is often overlooked. The general increase in knowledge and skill on the part of the public played a large part in making gas cars popular.