Alexander Winton Born June 20 1860 – Died June 21 1932) Patent No. 582,108 Explosive-Engine
Inducted 2006 One of the most skillful and insightful automobile pioneers of his time, Alexander Winton was one of the first Americans to build automobiles for regular sale to the public, predating Henry Ford’s car by more than five years.
Invention Impact Inventor Bio
Winton was born in Grangemouth, Scotland. In the 1890s, he began
developing a horseless carriage, an idea originating from the European
Industrial Revolution. After inventing a gasoline-motored bicycle,
Winton broadened his idea to a car. By 1896, his car had a two-cylinder
vertical engine with friction clutch, electric ignition, carburetor,
regulator to control engine speed, engine starter, and pneumatic tires.
Initial success led Winton to establish the Winton Motor Carriage
Company to build an improved, dependable model. Winton sold his first
car in 1898 for $1,000, the first sale of a gasoline
|