Edison Electric Runabout, circa 1889
Artifact
Automobile
Date Made
circa 1889
Summary
Thomas Edison had this car built about 1889 to investigate electricity as a power source for automobiles. The three-wheeled vehicle has two electric motors, each separately connected to one of the front wheels. Having successfully operated the car, Edison put it aside for several years. He reactivated the runabout in 1905 to test experimental nickel-iron alkaline batteries.
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
29.1337.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Arthur Williams.
On Exhibit
On Loan - Automotive Hall of Fame (Dearborn, MI)
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Edison Electric Runabout, circa 1889
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