Racine in Racine County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Spark
Photographed By Paul F, May 27, 2010
1. The Spark Marker
Inscription.
The Spark. . In 1873 the Rev. Dr. J.W. Carhart of Racine designed and operated the first light self-propelled highway vehicle in the United States, and probably the first in the world. He named it the Spark. It was driven by a two cylinder steam engine, steered by a lever, and had a speed of five miles per hour. When his “infernal machine” first appeared, the hideous noise created by its operation caused the people of Racine to threaten to run Carhart out of town. Carhart seems to have agreed with the general opinion of his invention but added, “It must be remembered that at the time there were no liquid fuel, ball bearings or rubber tires.” At the 1908 International Automobile Exposition held in Paris, France, Carhart was addressed as the “Father of Automobiles” and received a cash award and a certificate of honor for his invention.
In 1873 the Rev. Dr. J.W. Carhart of Racine designed and operated the first light self-propelled highway vehicle in the United States, and probably the first in the world. He named it the Spark. It was driven by a two cylinder steam engine, steered by a lever, and had a speed of five miles per hour. When his “infernal machine” first appeared, the hideous noise created by its operation caused the people of Racine to threaten to run Carhart out of town. Carhart seems to have agreed with the general opinion of his invention but added, “It must be remembered that at the time there were no liquid fuel, ball bearings or rubber tires.” At the 1908 International Automobile Exposition held in Paris, France, Carhart was addressed as the “Father of Automobiles” and received a cash award and a certificate of honor for his invention.
Erected 1957 by Wisconsin State Historical Society. (Marker Number 72.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.
Location. 42° 41.943′ N, 87° 50.308′ W. Marker is in Racine, Wisconsin, in Racine County. Marker can be
Click or scan to see this page online
reached from the intersection of Durand Avenue and South Ohio Street. Marker is located inside Pritchard Park, at the northwest corner of Durand and Ohio. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Racine WI 53406, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,616 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 9, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
