412 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



From 1845 up to the early nineties, a period of nearly half a cen- 

 tury, very little was done in the way of developing the automobile. 

 From time to time inventors in various parts of the world devoted 

 themselves to the subject, but they were generally looked upon as 

 visionary cranks, and their work attracted little attention. During 

 this period there was an almost universal prejudice against the use of 

 any kind of mechanical power upon the streets or public highways, and 

 it is even possible that if during these years any one had invented a 

 horseless carriage, perfect in every way, he would have failed to obtain 

 proper recognition. Prejudice against mechanically-propelled vehicles 

 has gradually worn away, probably because of the introduction of cable 

 and trolley cars, and at the present time the majority of people desire 

 to see the substitution of mechanical for animal power. As a result of 

 this change in public opinion, self-propelled vehicles are accepted as 

 entirely satisfactory, which a few years ago would have been regarded 



Fig. 10. Scott Russell's Steam Carriage, Made in 1S-15. 



as failures. Notwithstanding this tolerant feeling, however, it is very 

 doubtful whether the cumbersome coaches of the early part of the 

 century would be received with favor at the present time when taste 

 and requirements are entirely different. What is now desired is a light, 

 fast-running and attractive vehicle, which could not be constructed 

 along the lines followed by the inventors of former days. The auto- 

 mobile of to-day is a far more perfect device than its predecessors, 

 although it can not be said to have reached a state of perfection. As 

 motive power, steam, gasoline and electricity are used. Which of the 

 three is the best, taking all things into consideration, it would be 

 difficult to say, as each one has its defects as well as its advantages, 

 and the evident superiority of each one in a certain direction is offset 

 by deficiencies in other directions. 



In every civilized country, where the mechanic arts are far enough 

 advanced, automobiles are now being manufactured, but France is the 

 country where modern development first began, and up to the present 



