Henry Ford Seated in Ford Model A with Lenoir Engine, New York City, 1907
Add to SetSummary
The Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers claimed that George Selden's 1895 patent covered all internal combustion automobiles. Henry Ford refused to pay royalties, and ALAM sued. During the legal battle, Ford's team exhibited this functional Model A with an engine from a design patented by Jean Joseph Lenoir in 1860 -- predating Selden's work. The U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in Ford's favor in 1911.
The Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers claimed that George Selden's 1895 patent covered all internal combustion automobiles. Henry Ford refused to pay royalties, and ALAM sued. During the legal battle, Ford's team exhibited this functional Model A with an engine from a design patented by Jean Joseph Lenoir in 1860 -- predating Selden's work. The U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in Ford's favor in 1911.
Artifact
Photographic print
Subject Date
1907
Keywords
Collection Title
On Exhibit
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
84.1.1660.P.833.73968.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Linen (Material)
Technique
Gelatin silver process
Color
Black-and-white (Colors)
Dimensions
Height: 8.25 in
Width: 11 in
Inscriptions
typed label adhered on lower right front: Ford-Lenoir ca. 1904 / Henry Ford driving / 79368 printed in image lower right corner: 3972 / 73968
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