Description
Author: George H.Dammann, Hardbound, 384 Pages, ISBN: 9780912612065,1st Edition, 1974 - **Second-Hand book in excellent unread condition**
The Chrysler story could begin at any one of several points—the formation of the actual Chrysler company; the production of the first car to bear the name Chrysler; the founding of the Maxwell company; the Maxwell reorganization which placed Walter P. Chrysler in charge of the company, or even in the early years of Buick, when Walter Chrysler was first named general manager and then president of that company. But, as do virtually all American automobile companies, Chrysler has roots that extend. even deeper than the actual formative stages. In fact, in Chrysler's case, these roots extend all the way back to 1894, when few people in America had even seen a car of any kind, and even fewer yet had any sort of notion that self-propelled vehicles would ever amount to more than a passing curiosity.
It was in that year, in the city of Philadelphia, that Henry G. Morris and Pedro G. Salom constructed an experimental battery-operated car powered by a General Electric motor. The car had been designed in 1893, and a patent was applied for on January 19, 1894, while work on the actual vehicle was still underway. Once the first car was completed and tested, Morris and Salom set about building a small but continuing series of such vehicles, naming them Electrobats.
1895
During 1895, Morris and Salom built at least four Electrobats, and some estimates run as high as nine being produced. Quaintly, each of these bore its own name, in the same manner as did ships and locomotives of the time. However, these vehicles gained no notice until the CHICAGO TIMES HERALD decided to sponsor its now famous contest, planned for Thanksgiving Day of that year. Morris and Salom were among the 100 manufacturers to send in entry forms, and subsequently shipped three of their vehicles to Chicago for the trials.
Aker wveral test runs and much
