Henry Ford completes the Quadricycle (1896)

Henry Ford completed his first vehicle, the Ford Quadricycle, in Detroit on June 4, 1896. The vehicle utilized bicycle technology and an ethanol-powered engine. Ford tested the machine in his home workshop, achieving a top speed of 20 mph. This completion marked the culmination of his experimental work in engine construction during the 1890s.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Henry Ford began repairing and constructing engines in the late 1880s. By 1893, he had a machine running to his partial satisfaction. Between 1895 and 1896, he drove this machine about 1,000 miles. These experiments culminated in 1896 with the completion of a self-propelled automobile named the Ford Quadricycle, which he started building in his home workshop.

Vehicle Design. The Ford Quadricycle was a simple frame with a gas-powered engine mounted onto four bicycle wheels. The term "Quadricycle" derives from the use of four tires and bicycle technology, including spoked wheels and a drivetrain powering the rear wheels. Ford's specific vehicle was powered by pure ethanol.

Completion and Testing. On June 4, 1896, Ford put the finishing touches on his motor in a tiny workshop behind his home on Bagley Avenue, Detroit. He test drove the vehicle on this date, achieving a top speed of 20 mph. The original Quadricycle currently resides at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

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Sources

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