We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
History

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Was Auto Racing Like in the 1890s?

Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 643
References
Share

Auto racing is a thrilling sport loved by people all over the world. These days, race cars are engineered to go extremely fast. Formula 1 spectators can expect a top speed of 223 miles per hour (360 km/h). However, auto racing had to start somewhere, even if a decently fast runner would have left those early vehicles in the dust. Back in 1895, the average speed of the winning car in the first U.S. automobile race was only 7.3 miles per hour (11.7 km/h)!

Sponsored by the Chicago Times-Herald newspaper, America’s first auto race took place on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1895 in Chicago. The idea of the automobile itself was so new that there was no general term to describe it at the time. After all, the world’s first automobiles had only been produced two years earlier and were still known as "horseless carriages." In a poll conducted by the Times-Herald inviting readers to coin a new word, the term “motocycle” won.

Just six vehicles showed up to the race. Temperatures hovered around 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1.1 °C) and there was six inches of snow on the ground, with drifts of up to 24 inches. These were definitely not ideal weather conditions for a race, but at 8:55 a.m., six drivers left Chicago's Jackson Park for a 54-mile (87-km) odyssey to Evanston, Illinois.

Only two of the six entrants would ultimately finish America's first auto race. The winning vehicle was driven by J. Frank Duryea, who along with his brother Charles is credited with inventing America's first gas-powered automobiles. Duryea's Motorized Wagon finished the race in 7 hours and 53 minutes, with an average speed of just over 7 miles per hour. He used 3.5 gallons of gas along the way and took home the first-prize award of $2,000 and a gold medal. Although the race itself was something of a mess, the publicity of the event helped to accelerate automobile development in the United States. In 1896, a year after the Chicago Times-Herald race was held, the commercial production of American automobiles began.

Slow and steady wins the race:

  • The second-place Mueller-Benz car (the only other finisher) was driven by Oscar B. Mueller, but he had to be replaced by a race umpire, Charles Brady King, as Mueller had gone unconscious from exposure towards the end of the race. That vehicle is on display in the Mueller Museum in Decatur, Illinois.

  • Motocycle, the first English-language automobile magazine, was published in October 1895.

  • In another car-related first in 1895, the American Motor League, the first automotive club in the U.S., was established on November 1, 1895.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.com/what-was-auto-racing-like-in-the-1890s.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.