Early automotive brochures were influenced by a lot of different factors, including nature it seems.
In the early days of the automobile, a team of entrepreneurs sought to create a car without valves and gears. They would name their new enterprise The Gearless Automobile Company.
Dr. Simeone tells the story.
It is said that Carl Benz was the world’s first commercial automobile manufacturer. His first effort, the Benz Patent Motor Wagon was released and offered for sale as early as 1888. At the time, this newfangled technology befuddled many of its operators, and it was soon decided that some sort of instruction manual needed to be produced to assist with their operation. Before you is an extraordinarily rare publication that was devised to suit this purpose.
Product sales literature is the pride of our library. In many instances the automobile maker had no other way to explain and illustrates the benefits of his vehicles, particularly before the era of mass media. As such, sales brochures are considered the “official” description of the car, with illustrations, specifications, and the information one might need to make a purchase decision. We believe this brochure might be the first one ever created.
Sales brochures have become an important part of the history of the automobile. Among our collection of great sales brochures, we have found one which we find very puzzling.
Harry John Lawson was a British entrepreneur who sought to create an early monopoly on petrol-driven cars through the acquisition of multiple patents. His end goal never included vehicle production, rather he aimed to exploit the patents he purchased by charging royalties to manufacturers that produced vehicles from the patents he owned.
Early in the nineteen twenties, French aviator and inventor Gabriel Voisin sought to leverage the popularity of the French Impressionism movement to sell motor cars.
We all think that hybrid cars are a novel invention, but did you know that hybrid automotive technology has been in use since as early as 1905?
We recently unearthed these incredibly rare photographs in our library, depicting a Renault, in the mid-1920's, seemingly doing the impossible, navigating the streets of Paris, without an operator at the wheel.
Based on our research, we think this might be the oldest surviving automotive oil can in the world. We believe that this very clear image is that of an 1897 DeDion Bouton. The clarity is remarkable, especially when you consider that this particular object will most likely be 125 years old next year.
Dr. Simeone tells the story.
Alex Kow was one of the most prolific, and in demand artists of his day. His work, mostly advertising ads and few posters, focused exclusively on French manufacturers and was always signed “A. Kow”.
In the early days of the automobile, a team of entrepreneurs sought to create a car without valves and gears. They would name their new enterprise The Gearless Automobile Company.
Dr. Simeone tells the story.
