Hello everyone and good day to all! Have you ever thought what would our life look like without automobiles? Modern cars, with all their conveniences and comfortable devices, certainly make life easier for people. “An automobile is not a luxury, but a means of transportation”, said the protagonist in one of the classical Russian books. He was absolutely right. The cars are very important part of our lives today. Modern cars can create security and freedom of movement for people. Using a car, one can get to his work; pick up the children after school, or use it as other necessities. Cars certainly save our time and energy – taking a bus during peak times could be irritating and extremely tedious process. Most of gorgeous Russian ladies can drive a car and adore this process – it makes them independent from public transport. But have you ever thought about cars’ pioneers – who were they?

 So, let’s remember U.S. patent No. 549160 and the name of George Selden. This name is in fact unknown to the public. When we think about first American cars, the names of Duryea, Henry Ford, Olds come in mind. However, it was he – George B. Selden of Rochester, New York, himself – who became the first person to file the patent for the automobile, which he called a “road engine.” He filed for a patent on May 8^th, 1879, and the patent No. 549160 was granted to him on this date, November 5^th, 1897. Large engines served as the inspiration for George Selden who made a smaller analogue based on them.  He implemented ever greater improvements, so the issuing the patent delayed again and again, from year to year. It caused the fact Karl Benz, a German engine designer, received the German patent first.

George Selden was a war veteran, who interested in engineering throughout his life.  He filed his patent, but realized that he would never manufacture the cars. Henry Ford, who refused to pay for the using Selden’s patent, understood this fact as well. They had been at law about eight years. Ford considered Selden’s patent unable to be manufactured. In fact, Selden wasn’t a car manufacturer. One of the Ford’s lawyer’s strong arguments was the car race being organized near the court. The lawyer looked out the window and intently said, “Oh, Your Honor, I see a Winton, and a Duryea, and many Fords out there – but not one single Selden!”

But time eased everything. Although certainly the gas-powered car engine by George Selden can be regarded as a true American invention.