Early Automobile ca. 1900

This automobile was built by Worthington’s Howard Lee Griswold (b. 1878) for the president of Columbus Railway, Power and Light Company in the early 1900’s. Howard is seated in the driver’s seat next to his wife, Cora (b. 1884, d. 1949). The invention of the automobile transformed American life. Henry Ford and his famous Model T were but one of many inventors and manufacturers who tried their hand at making cars. This early example of a homemade machine shows its antecedents in the large farm wagon wheels and the high boxy wagon-like body. Note that the wheels are propelled by a belt and flywheels. Many early automobiles used chains and flywheels. The first gasoline powered vehicle was made in Ohio City, Ohio, by John Lambert in 1891.

Contributor: Worthington Historical Society

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