Beginnings
Electricity is one of the oldest methods of propulsion (not muscular: P) to vehicles used by people in worldwide.
The history of electric vehicles began in 1828. In this year, the Hungarian inventor Anyós Jedlik invented and launched the first prototype of an electric motor.
Between 1832 and 1839 (exact date not known), in Scotland, Robert Anderson of Scotland built a simple electric carriage. In the same period in 1835, was another small electric vehicle designed in Groningen in the Netherlands. This vehicle was built by his assistant Christopher Becker. In 1835, inventor Thomas Davenport (blacksmith by profession, better known as the inventor of the DC motor), from Vermont, built on a small scale first "electric car".
In the figure above is electric vehicle model by Ányos Jedlik - the inventor of an early type of electric motor (1828, Hungary). http://www.zuumcraft.com/vlev/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/jedliks_electric-car1.png
Over ten years later, in 1842. Thomas Davenport, along with the Scotsman Robert Davidson began to develop more practical and useful designs of electric vehicles.
Later (in 1865) the Frenchman Gaston Plante invented a way to better and more efficiently store electricity in batteries, which resulted in increasing their capacity. Just as in the past, low capacity battery affects the development of electric vehicles.
In the figure above is Thomas Davenport. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Thomas_Davenport.jpg/220px-Thomas_Davenport.jpg
1901 Baker Electric Car
France and Britain were the first countries around the world that, toward the end of 1800, as countries (!!!) supported the development of electric vehicles.
Performance of the first electric cars were not very bad. In 1899 a Belgian Camille Jénatzy achieve a world record land speed - 68 km / h in electric vehicle designed personally called "La Jamais Contente".
Picture of Camille Jenatzy and his wife riding the Jamais Contente vehicle. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBPiF1oBJIm8VYMjcQp9T22pS6q4kwX3cnIYT0MT3CqEvvapqvc-3N5wHBCny65A7H7ikDISdA5Smeyi1oHMjbN2XIun7N449sAMg_vtri8YLfOPu8V_7DnHiFjOxvhtQp8gE_9pNWA/s400/camille+jenatzy.jpg
After the success of Europeans, Americans in 1895, recognized the potential in electric vehicles. The first American "vehicle" which became a success was built by AL Ryker and William Morrison's six-passenger "vehicle". That car could achieve a maximum speed of 14 mph.
William Morrison's six-passenger wagon. http://bobmorris.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/william-morrison-ev.jpg?w=493&h=370
In 1897 the first electric vehicle was used for commercial applications - it was a taxi:) built by the Electric Carriage and Wagon Company of Philadelphia.
1909 Baker Electric
This figure present Thomas Edison and an electric car in 1913. http://www.treehugger.com/thomas-edison-electric-car-photo3453.jpg
Electric Car 1914 Detroit Electric
The turn of the century, in America and Europe was a period in which stabilized the popularity of different Power supply for vehicles, including steam-electric and gasoline.
Turn of the century was the culmination of America's electric cars, electric cars were on the market available in various types. A good example of the popularity of electric vehicles Phaeton was built by the Woods Motor Vehicle Company of Chicago in 1902. This vehicle achieved the speed of 14 mph and a range of 18 km.
Senator George P. Wetmore, Rhode Island, in a Krieger Electric Landaulet. Washington, D.C., Circa 1906. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZo8TXL0umR7TKP5fGn8xKfh-ZoRIMNhW1MY285Se36fEuseIpqY8D4EdMcj5S-LSqv0UzB3tUc1WxayXHygN3cvCjUsl2xY8WFti7JcFj-An03_MYVbdL8QzDwIl5Rh5cAalf5USWg/s600/Washington,+D.C.,+circa+1906.+Senator+George+P.+Wetmore,+Rhode+Island.JPG
Electric vehicles have many advantages over its competitors (diesel, steam) in early 1900. Electric vehicles do not have the vibration associated with the use of an internal combustion engine and the smell of gasoline and the accompanying noise driving.
http://files.technologist.geblogs.com/files/2011/04/1910_Waverley_Coupe.gif
The basic electric cars cost $ 1,000. Most of firsts electric vehicles was richly decorated and produced for the upper class. They had decorated the interior with expensive materials and the average purchase price was $ 3,000 in 1910.
http://edisontechcenter.org/ElectricCars/DetroitElecAd.jpg
Questions:
1. What do you think our world would look like if electric vehicles were introduced a century ago?
2. Are you surprised that a century ago someone built a successful electric vehicles?
3. Have you heard earlier about the beginnings of electric vehicles?
Źródła:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_electric_vehicle
http://inventors.about.com/od/estartinventions/a/History-Of-Electric-Vehicle s.htm
www.econogics.com/ev/evhistry.htm
www.evsroll.com/EV_History_&_Future.html
I think it would not be possible because the main advantage of diesel vehicles was their greater range. The problem of electric vehicles was the accumulation of energy. Of course, if it would evolve over time would be better batteries. What's more, the importance of oil would be lower. It would certainly our world would be different. And now would be the only electric vehicles. I was not surprised that someone has built a electric vehicle so early, but the fact that it was moving. And more, they look amazing! Had not previously met with the history of electric vehicles. It was interesting to learn how it began what is now jus in time. Now when the first start to ride an all-electric cars, we know that the idea is older than the diesel vehicle.
ReplyDeleteI have to submit that I am a little bit surprised that electric vehicle was built in such an early times and I have never read about beginnings of electric cars, thus it is quite interesting for me.
ReplyDeleteThey were very cute:). And the funny thing is that in these kind of cars there is no any steering wheel, just an iron rod...
I have already heard about it earlier but I haven’t read so many details. In deed it is fascinating. I think that If the electric vehicles were introduced a century ago our world would be absolutely different. Specially the environment wouldn’t be so polluted and damaged. And what is more If we did not need a petrol any more probably it would have also a huge influence on political situation all over the Word. What a shame that it wasn’t a success.
ReplyDeleteI like their look. When I have seen one of them for the first time I have thought “where are the horses” .It looks like an old carriage:)
1) It's hard to say our world would look like if electric vehicles were introduced a century ago? However, it seems to me that I know why they didn't show. Because the world is ruled by money - this cann't be concealed. So the conditions are dictated by powerful countries. In this case one of them is the United States. And what will generate the greater profits, electric cars and happy people living in the ecological world or selling the powerful deposits of free oil, which are available as long as market will need it.
ReplyDelete2) No, this isn't so hard to build one copy of it. ;)
3) If I remember correctly, I watched a program about electric cars on discavery. Perhaps the same that you put in your presentation.
I've heard about it before but not so much and I' have to admit I'm surprised also. The history of Electric cars is rather controversial. Why? I thing because of their independence. By buying such car you don't have to invest more money in maintenance...I mean petrol of course.
ReplyDeleteWhy such perfect technology wouldn't appear earlier? Petrol concerns making it all the time impossible. Many years ago, I think Toyota, produced first fully customized and ready to implement electric car. They were also fully prepared to open production line. But suddenly idea collapsed. Why? Petrol mob. People from the biggest Oil Groups have banned all symptoms not even ideas of electricity on the roads.
Problem with electric vehicles is that they are inefficient, oil companies have nothing to do with it, if electric vehicles were better then cars with diesel engines would become obsolete just like typewriters.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I must show you a beautiful video called "Electric car":
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAv6M1Bai0c
I've seen it months ago and you reminded me about this lovely short film.
I've heard about early inventions of electric cars, but as most of guys I haven't known details. Definitely I saw some of these pictures before.
What would our world look like if they had been introduced earlier? Well, maybe it would affect oil price :D I'm not very good in technical details and I can't imagine what other influence would it have.
It's very hard to say or even imagine this situation but I suspect that now we were flying not driving;)
ReplyDeleteNo, I have heard about it and I'm sure that as long as oil, electric cars/vehicles will not be very popular.
I've never been interested in the history of such cars, but it was nice to read about it and see the interesting material. Thanks for your presentations.
ReplyDeleteIt is not hard to believe in it, that someone could years ago, invent a good electric car, because in former times, were born a genius ....
I look forward to the introduction of such vehicles for public use, at an affordable price for every pocket:)
What do you think our world would look like if electric vehicles were introduced a century ago?
ReplyDeleteHard to imagine, well I guess I can agree with Malgorzata it would be success especially for environment. But maybe there would appear some other disadvantages. I really don't know much about stuff like that so I shouldn't be part of the discussion:)
2. Are you surprised that a century ago someone built a successful electric vehicles?
Suprised is not a good term used in this situation. I would say I'm full of admiration but I always knew human being can do anything right?
3. Have you heard earlier about the beginnings of electric vehicles?
I have to say I've never heard abou it, well I knew a few things about the electric vehicles but not so many details. It was actually very interesting to read your presenation. And of course to watch the photos of these beautiful machines. I fallen in love with them..
>1. What do you think our world would look like if >electric vehicles were introduced a century ago?
ReplyDeleteIf now electric cars are called the future of automobile then probably we we would have more power-saving devices, etc. => Cleaner air and water and no wars over oil.
>2. Are you surprised that a century ago someone built a >successful electric vehicles?
No. But I'm really surprised that even that long ago there were lobby groups. :)
>3. Have you heard earlier about the beginnings of >electric vehicles?
I haven't heard about it probably because I'm not into cars and other mechanical vehicles. Bike for the win! :)
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I wonder only how the electric cars were powered and how long the early electric cars could ride on single refuel?
Technological progress has repeatedly shown us that no customers and quality are set trends on the world. Big companies have marketing specialists and are able to convince many people to their new products but not always they talk true, but people believe them and buy new products. In my opinion a similar situation will be with electric cars. Due to limited resources, and an increasing number of cars on the road - the production and implementation of electric cars seems to be necessary. Although electric cars have less power, I believe that someday they will replace our current cars. I do not know the history of cars, I do not have a car, moving via bicycle and public transport:)
ReplyDelete