A week later, we learned from one Harry Lawson that a firm was being formed for British car making on “a very large scale”, using patents licensed from Germany’s Daimler – the inventor of the car in 1885 – and American newcomer Edward Pennington.
We were excited about his engine, since by using a ‘water jacket’ it “produces both heat and cold, and in such proportion that the temperature of the cylinder is never greater than that of an ordinary steam engine, and requires a minimum quantity of water”. It soon transpired that Lawson and Pennington were conmen.
On 12 November, the world’s first automobile club was founded, with “the best men in France” among its members. We said: “While intended for the convenience of members, and especially of provincial autocar users who may wish to be in touch with Paris, [the ACF] will do everything in its power to advance the interests of the new industry.”
In the French capital, “one of the chief customers for autocars is the tradesman. With an eye to [their] value as an advertisement, he is employing vans which excite a certain amount of curiosity in the way in which they glide about the crowded streets without causing the slightest inconvenience to the general traffic.”
At London’s annual cycle show, motorised vehicles were due to feature for the first time – but we had to report that “there has been much cry, and is little wool”, as only two cars and two tricycles appeared.
Still, “the attending public, doubtless considering that half a loaf is better than no bread, gather in crowds round both vehicles and tricycles, and evince the liveliest interest in the questions of their pace, weight, cost, and mode of propulsion”.
The French could already refuel their autocars in most towns, and leading oil firm Messieurs Deutsch was “making arrangements for the establishment of depots for the sale of petroleum spirit throughout the country”.
“It is evident,” we commented, “that the same thing will have to be done in England, where petroleum spirit is an almost unknown commodity among the tradespeople.”
