Inventor. Born in Canton, Illinois, he was an engineer and a pioneer in the automobile industry. With his brother Frank, he produced and road tested America's first gasoline powered car on September 20, 1893, in Springfield, Massachusetts. He also innovated the first friction transmission, spray carburetor and low tension ignition. In 1895, in Chicago, he entered his vehicle in America's first auto race and won. After the race, demand grew for his cars and he formed the Duryea Motor Wagon Company in 1896. His company became the first ever commercially produced vehicles and also the largest automobile factory in the United States, until manufacturing ceased in 1917. Duryea died at age 76 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1973, he was posthumously inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.
Inventor. Born in Canton, Illinois, he was an engineer and a pioneer in the automobile industry. With his brother Frank, he produced and road tested America's first gasoline powered car on September 20, 1893, in Springfield, Massachusetts. He also innovated the first friction transmission, spray carburetor and low tension ignition. In 1895, in Chicago, he entered his vehicle in America's first auto race and won. After the race, demand grew for his cars and he formed the Duryea Motor Wagon Company in 1896. His company became the first ever commercially produced vehicles and also the largest automobile factory in the United States, until manufacturing ceased in 1917. Duryea died at age 76 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1973, he was posthumously inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
Inventor and builder of America's first gasoline automobile. 1892
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