1866 Dudgeon Steam Wagon

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'Dudgeon' steam wagon
1866 Dudgeon Steam Carriage
1866 Dudgeon Steam Carriage
Dudgeon steam wagon, 1866

Object Details

maker

Dudgeon, Richard

Description

The Dudgeon steam wagon is one of the earliest self-propelled road vehicles built in the United States. Richard Dudgeon, a machinist who was known for his commercially produced hydraulic jacks, designed and built a steam-powered wagon because he hoped to end the abuse and mistreatment of horses. The wagon resembles a small locomotive, but it has a steering wheel and seats for the driver and eight passengers. Dudgeon drove the vehicle on New York City streets and at his farm on Long Island. It burned coal and ran at a top speed of 25 to 30 miles per hour.

Location

Currently not on view

Credit Line

Gift of Kirkland H. Gibson

date made

1866

ID Number

1981.0328.01

accession number

1981.0328

catalog number

1981.0328.01

Object Name

steam wagon

Other Terms

steam wagon; Road

Measurements

overall: 5 5/16 ft x 5 ft x 11 5/16 ft; 1.62458 m x 1.524 m x 3.45338 m

place made

United States: New York, New York City

See more items in

Work and Industry: Transportation, Road

Automobiles

Transportation

Road Transportation

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Metadata Usage

CC0

Link to Original Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a6-993e-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record ID

nmah_844459