Edward Butler (inventor)
Edward Butler (1862–1940) was an English inventor who produced an early three-wheeled petrol automobile called the Butler Petrol Cycle, which is accepted by many as the first British car.
Butler first showed plans for a three-wheeled petrol vehicle at the Stanley Cycle Show in London in 1884, and again at the 1885 Inventions Exhibition, also in London.
For comparison, Carl Benz, who is generally recognised as the inventor of the modern automobile, built his first working motorcar in 1885, and unveiled it to the public in 1886.
Butler Petrol Cycle
Built by the
The vehicle featured in an article in the 14 February 1891 issue of Scientific American, where it was stated that one gallon of fuel in the form of petroleum or benzolene could propel the vehicle for forty miles (5.9 L/100 km) at a speed of 3–10 mph (4.8–16.1 km/h).[4]
Butler improved the specifications of his vehicle over the years, but was prevented from adequately testing it due to the
Butler wrote in the magazine
Due to general lack of interest, Butler broke up his machine for scrap in 1896, and sold the patent rights to
Instead, Butler turned to making stationary and marine engines.[2] His motor tricycle was in advance of its better-known contemporaries on several points.[2]
See also
References
- G.N. GeorganoCars: Early and Vintage 1886–1930 (London: Grange-Universal, 1990), p.22.
- ^ G.N. Georgano, p.22.
- G.N. Georgano, p.20 cap.
- ^ a b c Aiken, Ken (9 July 2015). "Edward Butler and the Petrol Cycle". TouringRoads Travel and Adventure. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
Other sources
- "Keeping track: All fired up about 'petrol'", The Daily Telegraph, 1 February 2002, archived from the original on 31 October 2007
- ISBN 0-9509620-3-1.