Thomas Flyer on a Railroad Trestle near Goshen, Indiana during the New York to Paris Race, 1908

Summary

In 1908, six automobiles raced around the globe from New York City to Paris, France. The contest took 169 days, covered 22,000 miles and spanned three continents. The cars and their racing teams had to endure cold, snow, mud, poor roads and other hardships. Drivers found ways around poor road conditions by using established rail lines -- usually with the railway company's approval.

In 1908, six automobiles raced around the globe from New York City to Paris, France. The contest took 169 days, covered 22,000 miles and spanned three continents. The cars and their racing teams had to endure cold, snow, mud, poor roads and other hardships. Drivers found ways around poor road conditions by using established rail lines -- usually with the railway company's approval.

Artifact

Lantern slide

Subject Date

1908

 On Exhibit

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

92.1.1774.31

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of the Family of Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Material

Glass (Material)

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 3.25 in

Width: 4 in

Inscriptions

Label adhered to side of glass lantern slide reads: TITLE Trestle- 15 Mi. an hour- Goshen - S.B./ SET No Indiana / SLIDE No NYP 24 Partially seen at bottom of label: RILEY OPTICAL INSTRUMENT CO ___ NY

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