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August 16, 2015
How to Drive an Electric Car, 1896
It can run with great speed and climb almost any hill road so long as it is smooth... When the battery is empty it may be recharged again at electrical stations maintained for the purpose, after which the carriage is ready for its journey once more... Aside from the device for supplying power to the wheels, there are numerous others for guiding and controlling the machine when it is under way. Near the seat of the driver are a number of switches and levers, which to one just learning how they operate are rather bewildering... The driver must keep his eyes wide open and both his feet and hands busy. With his left hand he grasps the power lever which controls the speed, while with the right he manages the steering lever. He has one heel all the time on an emergency switch that cuts off the current, and at the same time must ring a gong to warn people of the approach of his pneumatic-tired conveyance. With the other foot he manages a reversing-switch that will back the carriage, while with his toes he applies a quick brake. When he wishes to turn on the lights he presses a button under the seat. So it may be seen that he is rather busy, and can never go to sleep and let the old horse carry him home." -- Henry Davenport Northrop, The Gem Cyclopedia of Universal Knowledge
Posted by gerardvanderleun at August 16, 2015 5:12 PM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.
Your Say
My great-grandmother drove a Baker Electric before the 1920s. Mrs. Henry Ford drove a Detroit Electric back then. Electric cars are obsolete technology. There is far less difference between my Great-grandmothers Baker Electric and a Tesla, than there is between a Model T and my 2014 Honda Accord.
Posted by: Fat Man ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://americandigest.org/sidelines/nav-commenters.gif)
at August 16, 2015 5:39 PM
"...go to sleep and let the old horse carry him home." Now THAT is a drunkard's dream. Tell me again about progress.
JWM
Posted by: John M at August 16, 2015 7:02 PM
Dunno, Fat Man. I'd argue that there is some pretty slick technology between Granma's ride and a Tesla - series wound motors, rare earth magnets, exotic battery tech. But they do both suffer from exactly the same problems: limited range, battery weight, poor performance in cold weather and the kicker, you need someplace to plug it in. AND something to burn to generate the electricity, whether it's wood, coal, nat gas or uranium. Without a supply of electrons, these things are just garden art.
Posted by: SteveS at August 16, 2015 7:24 PM
Remember this: the whole world runs on electricity, from the atomic level to the neural paths to gravity.
chasmatic A.O.E.W.
Ancient Order of Electrical Wizards
Posted by: chasmatic at August 17, 2015 6:17 AM
Driving that thing sounds a lot like operating a Snapper rider, except for ringing the gong.
Posted by: BillH at August 17, 2015 6:48 AM